by Seth J. Frantzman
Arabic media, whether pro-Hamas or not, see the IDF’s rapid advance as a game changer.
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Hamas may be concerned now as it sees the IDF advancing in Gaza. So far, it seems as though the terrorist organization can do very little in terms of preventing this advance.
The IDF began a multipronged ground offensive in Gaza on March 19 that has seen forces from several units penetrate areas of northern and southern Gaza and the Netzarim Corridor south of Gaza City.
Indications of Hamas’s concern can be seen in the scramble by Cairo to try to broker a deal, as well as in reports in the Arabic media. The pro-Hezbollah Lebanese Al Akhbar, for instance, has written about a new “assassination” policy by Israel.
This comes after the high-profile strikes on several Hamas political leaders in Gaza. In addition, several key Hamas terrorist leaders of units in the area of Shejaia were killed.
According to Al Akhbar, “Over the past two days, the situation on the ground in the Gaza Strip has shifted from the framework of the air operation and military pressure on Hamas to the return of full-scale warfare, coinciding with an assassination campaign targeting a number of the movement’s leaders.”
Al Akhbar said the IDF had moved its 36th Division to the border of Gaza. It also reported “the advance of military vehicles from the northwestern border of the Strip, adjacent to the city of Beit Lahiya, the northeastern axis adjacent to the city of Beit Hanun, and the eastern areas of the Jabalya camp.
Hamas's challenges
“In central Gaza,” it added, “the enemy expanded its control over the Netzarim axis, the Mughraqa area, and the southern areas of the Zeitoun neighborhood.”
The article goes on to list several IDF advances and defeats for Hamas. This is in contrast to last year when these types of articles would shift between details of the killing of civilians in Gaza to Hamas’s “successes” against the IDF.
The most they can now point to is the Houthis claiming they might support Hezbollah. This is not exactly good news for Hamas since it can’t seem to hold onto any areas as its men retreat.
Al Ain media, which is based in the United Arab Emirates and is not pro-Hamas, has also reported on the IDF moving the 36th Division to the Gaza border.
Clearly, these Arabic media sources, whether pro-Hamas or not, see the IDF’s rapid advance as a game changer.
Hamas is melting away. It is not standing and fighting. It doesn’t seem to have many weapons or booby traps in its arsenal.
That could change. However, Hamas has also not been able to fire many rockets. It appears that it is facing a real challenge. This means it may be scrambling to get a ceasefire.
Seth J. Frantzman
Source: https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-847391
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