How Did the Resistance in Gaza Persevere in 2024?

The Palestinian resistance in the Gaza Strip enters another year of steadfast confrontation against the occupation forces, continuing to repel their ongoing aggression on neighborhoods, refugee camps, and cities for over 14 consecutive months.

Despite the brutal assault, the relentless siege, and the severance of internal and external supply lines, the resistance in Gaza shows no signs of retreat, weakness, or defeat. The year nearing its end witnessed near-daily operations targeting occupation forces, particularly in areas of incursion in the northern and southern regions of Gaza. Some of these operations have been described as pivotal moments in the resistance’s fight against occupation, with analysts deeming the resistance’s endurance as legendary and unprecedented in modern times.

Throughout the ongoing battle, the Palestinian resistance has employed numerous tactics to challenge the vastly superior military capabilities of the occupation. These strategies explain, in part, why the occupation has consistently failed to achieve its objectives in Gaza over the past 14 months.

Since the beginning of the ground operations, the resistance has continued to thwart the occupation forces, releasing video clips and statements daily that document battles in various incursion zones.

“The Will of the Sons of the Land”

One of the most prominent factors behind the persistence of the Palestinian resistance is their unyielding will to fight and endure. Despite the overwhelming challenges that could have “theoretically” prevented such steadfastness, the resistance in Gaza defies all odds. How does a resistance under siege, without strategic depth or external supply lines, manage to continue its fight?

The fighters in Gaza understand that their battle is a decisive and crucial one. The occupation aims to crush every last fighter to establish a new chapter in Gaza under complete Israeli domination. Against this backdrop, and with an ironclad resolve, the resistance continues its struggle, even amid deep wounds and an unprecedented sense of abandonment.

Guerrilla Warfare and Traps

The resistance has adopted guerrilla warfare tactics inspired by the Vietnamese experience, avoiding conventional, frontal battles.

Resistance fighters engage in pre-prepared combat zones, striking at times and places of their choosing to neutralize the disparity in strength between them and the heavily armed and technologically advanced occupation forces.

Complex ambushes have proven to be a nightmare for the occupation, causing heavy losses in personnel and equipment. Additionally, isolated ambushes, sniper operations, and explosive devices set in pre-planned tunnels have inflicted significant damage on the occupation’s forces.

Advanced Tactics

Throughout the ongoing conflict, the Palestinian resistance has greatly refined its strategies. This evolution is evident in the continued operations and the inability of the occupation forces to secure even a single area in Gaza without suffering counterattacks.

A field source previously told Arabi21 that “in certain instances, the resistance manipulated the occupation forces according to pre-planned strategies, choosing the time and place of confrontation to their advantage.”

The source added that the resistance redeployed units and formations after in-depth analysis of the battlefield, ensuring the optimal use of their fighters.

Recruitment and Recycling

The field source revealed that the resistance had prepared for a protracted conflict and adjusted its tactics accordingly. For example, a large-scale recruitment campaign was launched to prepare for a war of attrition, with factions—especially Al-Qassam Brigades—recruiting thousands of new fighters in recent months.

Additionally, the resistance showcased its ability to recycle materials during the war. Video footage showed Al-Qassam Brigades detonating improvised explosive devices (IEDs) made from unexploded Israeli bombs.

The source explained that bombs fired by the occupation, which failed to detonate, were repurposed into new IEDs. The materials within these bombs were also used for warheads, projectiles, and rockets.

Underground Warfare

In October, The New York Times revealed new details about Hamas’ underground tactics based on a manual from 2019 uncovered by Israeli forces during the current war.

The report explained how the manual included instructions for concealing tunnel entrances and navigating using compasses or GPS systems. Fighters were trained to move efficiently in darkness, with night-vision goggles and infrared equipment, and to rely on a hand-to-wall and hand-to-comrade method when moving in tight spaces.

Field commanders were instructed to calculate the exact time fighters needed to travel between underground points, and bomb-resistant doors were installed to shield the network from airstrikes and ground attacks.

One report claimed that Yahya Sinwar, the Hamas leader in Gaza assassinated in October, approved $225,000 to reinforce tunnel doors just a year before the war began.

Tamir Hayman, the former Israeli military intelligence chief, commented, “Hamas’ reliance on underground tactics is a primary reason for their ability to withstand the Israeli army’s assault so far.”

Deception and Camouflage

From booby-trapped tunnels to dummies and recorded voices mimicking captives, the Palestinian resistance has employed ingenious tactics to deceive occupation forces.

The Washington Post highlighted Hamas’ strategies during the ground war in Gaza. The report mentioned that resistance fighters used mannequins, children’s bags, and speakers playing crying sounds near tunnel entrances to lure Israeli soldiers into narrow alleys filled with rubble near Jabalia camp.

According to the Israeli army, these decoys were deliberately placed near tunnels, with photos showing mannequins dressed as children rigged with explosives.

Israeli forces also reported hearing recordings of voices crying and speaking in Hebrew, which commanders believe were attempts to mislead soldiers into searching for hostages nearby.

An Israeli lieutenant colonel from a reconnaissance unit noted that Hamas’ tactics included “explosive traps, dummies, and recordings of crying,” further elaborating that his unit encountered such traps in Gaza City.

The officer described bombs hidden in sandbags on walls to detonate at head level, remarking, “With crying children and all these tricks, Hamas aims to trap Israeli forces.”