According to a report by Al Jazeera, the military wing of the Hamas movement has claimed responsibility for a series of devastating attacks on Israeli tanks in the Gaza Strip.
According to statements from the Qassam Brigades, their fighters targeted a Merkava 4 tank with an al-Yassin 105 rocket on Baghdad Street in the eastern Shujayea neighborhood of Gaza City, where intense battles have been reported.
The group also said on Telegram that another Merkava 4 tank was struck with a Shawaz antitank weapon in the southern Tal as-Sultan neighborhood of Rafah city in southern Gaza.
The strikes on the advanced Merkava tanks, which are the backbone of the Israeli armored corps, represent a significant blow to the Israeli military's capabilities in the Gaza theater. The Qassam Brigades' use of specialized anti-tank weapons demonstrates their growing arsenal and tactical sophistication.
The latest attacks come amid a broader escalation of violence in the Gaza Strip, with both sides engaged in daily clashes and exchanges of fire. The Israeli military has continued its offensive in the enclave despite international calls for a ceasefire, leading to mounting casualties on both sides.
According to the latest figures, over 36,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since the conflict erupted in October 2023, the vast majority being women and children. The UN has accused Israel of committing acts of genocide and has ordered the country to immediately halt its operations in the southern city of Rafah.