Israeli troops have been deployed in the Gaza Strip for a week. An asymmetric war between the firepower of the Jewish state on one side and a well-equipped paramilitary militia on the other.
There were about fifty automatic rifles, mines and rocket launchers lined up on the ground. “The first one is from Iran. This one was assembled in Gaza, this one was made in Korea,” explains Lt. Col. Idan. This impressive arsenal was confiscated by the Israeli army during the fighting against Hamas.
This very diverse weapon is currently being used in Gaza against Israeli armored vehicles and tanks. The lieutenant colonel, who fought in the enclave nine years ago, has seen “changes” since then. “For example, the Iranian rocket launcher with a double warhead, we hadn’t seen that in 2014. It undoubtedly came later through smuggling,” he explains.
Hamas weapons confiscated by Israel, November 2, 2023. (RADIOFRANCE)
Tunnels and civilians, other Hamas “assets.”
According to the Israeli army, Hamas’ other assets include the tunnels and the civilians who serve as human shields, says Colonel Olivier Rafowicz. “We are doing our best to ensure that there are as few civilians as possible. Our priority is the elimination of the Hamas regime in the Gaza Strip,” says the Israeli army spokesman. “It is not a guerrilla war, it is a war against an enemy, namely the existing government. And we are witnessing very fierce fighting with this Hamas army that is using the civilian population of Gaza as hostages,” said Colonel Rafowicz.
None of the civilians in the Palestinian enclave contacted on Thursday evening could or would confirm this claim. “No, that is not correct. They say that Hamas is preventing us from leaving, but no, that is not the case,” assures Assia. And if she doesn’t go south, it’s because the schools that accept the displaced people are overcrowded. “Where are we going? This stops me from leaving” and the area is not spared from the bombings.