The Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement said on Saturday evening that moving the ground operation into Israeli territory is “a critical development” in the conflict.
A spokesperson for Hamas, Fawzy Barhoum, said in a brief statement quoted by Turkey’s Anadolu news agency that this tactic has shocked the Israeli enemy. “Israel has had to abort its plans,” he claimed. “We have confused its calculations.”
The military wing of Hamas, the Ezzedine Al-Qassam Brigades, also announced on Saturday evening the killing of 11 Israeli soldiers in two operations inside Israel. One Al-Qassam fighter was killed during one of the operations.
Israel has not responded to Hamas’s claim. However, it did announce the death of two soldiers, including one senior officer.