Qassam announces ambush on 'Israeli' forces in Rafah

Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, announced a series of attacks on 'Israeli' forces in the eastern part of Rafah city, south of the Gaza Strip, on Tuesday, as part of their ongoing campaign dubbed “Gates of Hell.”

In a statement, the group said its fighters successfully lured a 10-member 'Israeli' ground force—accompanied by two military dogs—into a pre-planned ambush near the al-Mashru junction.

The ambush site had been rigged with multiple explosive devices which were detonated upon the unit's arrival, resulting in a number of 'Israeli' casualties. The group added that they observed 'Israeli' helicopters landing in the area to evacuate the wounded. Clashes reportedly continued in the vicinity at the time of the announcement.

In a separate but simultaneous operation, Qassam fighters said they targeted an 'Israeli' force sheltering inside a house near the same junction with two TBG anti-armor shells.

The fighters claimed they inflicted additional casualties before storming the house and engaging in close-quarter combat, killing the remaining 'Israeli' soldiers using light weapons.