Israel is increasing the pressure on the field by expanding ground operations in the southern Gaza Strip and accompanying the actual offensive with psychological warfare measures. On Sunday, an army spokesman announced the killing of Wissam Farhat, commander of the Shujaiya Battalion active in the northern part.
Along with the statement, a poster with the faces of the unit’s officers was published: “Surrender, or the same will happen to you,” was the signal. The sources highlighted that Farhat, along with others, was involved in planning the attack on Kibbutz Nahal Oz and a nearby outpost. In addition, since 2014, his men have taken possession of the body of soldier Oron Shaul, who died during a battle aboard an armored vehicle. The loot is still in the hands of the faction and may be the subject of a future exchange.
– The poster with the faces
The second initiative is more propagandistic. A deck of cards with the faces of Hamas leaders. Ten thousand “pieces” to be distributed among the soldiers: an idea that, according to Ynetnews, was not promoted by the defense. The intention is to reinforce the message of a continuous hunt for leaders without geographical boundaries. Those hiding in the Gaza Strip must be hit, such as Yahya Sinwar (the Queen of Hearts), Mohammed Deif (the joker), Marwan Issa and other cadres present in the southern area. And here they are looking for them in a constant duel between hiding places, tunnels, aerial reconnaissance and classic espionage.
– The card game
The other front concerns foreign countries. A number of Hamas or jihadi representatives move between Lebanon, Turkey and Qatar, where they carry out diplomatic activities, take care of financing and coordination with the Muslim world. The cards include those of Khaled Meshal (Ace of Hearts) and Ismail Haniyeh (Ace of Money), who were housed along with other collaborators in Doha, which has become the center of hostage negotiations.
In recent days, rumors have emerged about alleged guarantees given by the Netanyahu government to the Emir of Qatar regarding Haniyeh, which were excluded from the list of targets for reasons of expediency – it is hypothesized. It is a channel of communication with the movement, it helps with contacts, it can make commitments even if the final say lies with the leaders remaining in Gaza. However, nothing is official and promises made in secret can be revoked or ignored. For two reasons: the conflict has resumed in full intensity; The Jewish state has explicitly declared its intention to neutralize the enemy at all levels.
The idea of the card game is inspired by similar programs the Pentagon has launched over the years. In 2003, after the invasion of Iraq, the Americans used the same system against Saddam Hussein’s leaders and subsequently investigated it for the weapons supplied to Iran.