Analyst evaluates Al-Qassam Brigades: Triumph or setback?

GAZA — Raafat Marra, a Palestinian political observer, and analyst, argues that assessing the outcome of a battle or war is intricately tied to the goals set by each party within its strategic vision, rather than the methods employed. Regarding Israel's 80-day war on Gaza, Marra poses a key question: "Did Hamas win?"اضافة اعلان

While recognizing diverse perspectives on the success of the resistance group, Marra emphasizes that providing a definitive answer is premature due to the ongoing nature of the conflict, as reported by Quds Press.

Marra sheds light on Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, whose strategic vision involves resisting occupation, sustaining resistance, and wearing down the occupier until achieving comprehensive liberation and state-building. In an interview with Quds Press, Marra underscores the significance of the October 7 operation, Al-Aqsa Flood, as a crucial strike against the occupation, achieving strategic goals such as destabilizing the entity's foundations and eroding public confidence in its protective capabilities.

On the other hand, Marra details the Israeli occupation's aggressive actions in Gaza, outlining goals like eliminating Hamas, repatriating prisoners, and reshaping the region without Hamas. Despite employing extensive military force, Marra argues that the occupation failed to achieve any of its stated goals, marking a significant strategic setback.

Marra points out signs of Israeli failure, including internal dissent within the occupation entity, declining societal support for the ruling team, and calls for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's resignation. Additionally, he mentions international voices questioning the feasibility of eradicating Hamas and advocating for negotiations.

According to Marra, here are the 15 achievements of Al-Qassam Brigades: Hamas since October 7:

1. October 7: Operation "Al-Aqsa Flood" caused a seismic shift, leaving the Israeli Occupation Forces unable to regain their footing or restore their tarnished image.
   
   
2. Global attention to Palestine: Successfully redirected global focus to the Palestinian cause, sparking widespread discussions on the imperative of securing basic rights for Palestinians.
   
   
3. Support for Hamas and Al-Qassam: Both within Palestine and abroad, people rallied behind Hamas and Al-Qassam Brigades, resulting in a surge in popularity for the resistance group. This bolstered confidence among Palestinians in the effectiveness of the resistance, emphasizing its ability to achieve the genuine aspirations of the Palestinian people, rather than pursuing a demeaning path towards settlement.
   
   
4. Gaza's resilience: Palestinians in Gaza displayed remarkable endurance in the face of the occupation's brutality, making monumental sacrifices. Gaza emerged as a humanitarian saga of heroism, redemption, patience, resistance, and unwavering resilience.
   
   
5. A moral and humanitarian victory: Globally, Al-Qassam, Hamas secured a moral and humanitarian victory, casting the occupation as an entity steeped in brutality. The poignant image of Palestinian women leaving Gaza and their testimonies regarding the ethical conduct of Al-Qassam elements stood out prominently.
   
   
6. Hamas's media success: Achieved a series of successive media victories, affirming its credibility, and objectivity, and establishing legitimate media standing.
   
   
7. Halt IOF operations: Hamas compelled the Israeli occupation to halt its aggression and implement a temporary ceasefire after more than 40 days of steadfast resistance.
   
   
8. Liberation of Palestinian prisoners: The efforts of Hamas resulted in the release of dozens of women and children, transforming their liberation in the West Bank into a globally resonant tableau.
   
   
9. Rockets into Tel Aviv: Al-Qassam continued its rocket strikes deep into Tel Aviv from areas ostensibly under the occupation's control. Simultaneously, the resistance persisted in targeting the Israeli army in areas it had entered 60 days prior, asserting and maintaining control.
   
   
10. Northern Gaza: In northern Gaza, Al-Qassam demonstrated unwavering resilience, delivering substantial blows to the occupying forces.
    
    
11. West Bank involvement: The West Bank actively participated in the resistance, notwithstanding the Israeli occupation's terrorist attacks involving killings, assassinations, and arrests. This, however, served to fortify the resistance project in the West Bank and Jerusalem.
    
    
12. Palestinians from Lebanon: Palestinians from Lebanon joined the resistance against the occupation, launching rockets into northern Palestine. Fighters from Al-Qassam engaged the enemy in battles from Lebanon.
    
    
13. Houthi involvement: The Houthi group (Ansar Allah) and Hezbollah from Lebanon entered the fray, executing potent military and security strikes against the occupation, strategically confounding the enemy and debilitating its capabilities.
    
    
14. A shift of support: Ardent supporters of the occupation shifted their stances, now advocating for an end to aggression, the provision of aid, and a cessation of civilian targeting.
    
    
15. Al-Qassam targeted occupation tanks, and vehicles: Al-Qassam Brigades persistently targeted Israeli Occupation tanks, armored vehicles, and soldiers within Gaza and its environs. Al-Qassam Brigades succeeded in presenting compelling audiovisual evidence of the destruction of occupation vehicles and the infliction of casualties.