In a major blow to the Israeli occupation forces, Golani Brigade’s 13th Battalion has withdrawn from the volatile Gaza Strip following a devastating defeat at the hands of Palestinian Resistance fighters. After suffering significant casualties during a well-executed ambush in the al-Shujaiya neighborhood, the battered battalion has been forced to regroup and reassess its strategy.
Israeli soldiers from the Golani Brigade celebrate leaving the battlefield in Gaza.
A few days ago, Israel’s military announced massive losses during the unit’s existence in Shejaiya. Meanwhile, the resistance announced that it caused heavy death toll and vehicle damage among… pic.twitter.com/29Iddeov4J
— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) December 21, 2023
On December 12, Resistance fighters launched a surprise attack on the Golani troops, resulting in the deaths of seven soldiers, including two high-ranking officers. Among the fallen were Lieutenant Colonel Tomer Grinberg, the respected commander of the 13th Battalion, and Colonel Izhak Ben Basat, the esteemed leader of the Golani Brigade chief’s forward command team. Also lost in the ambush was Major Roei Meldasi, a company commander who had fought alongside his comrades.
The al-Shujaiya neighborhood had proven to be a formidable challenge for the Golani Brigade, which had already experienced heavy losses during the 2014 war on Gaza. Despite their determination to achieve victory, the Brigade failed to meet their command’s expectations, as Palestinian Resistance fighters successfully disrupted their chain of command by eliminating key figures.
In a notable move, the Israeli occupation forces have decided to give the exhausted troops a much-needed break. For the first time since the invasion of Gaza, the soldiers of the 13th Battalion will be granted a 48-hour rest period in the Gaza Envelope, an area close to the conflict zone. However, they are set to be swiftly redeployed back into Gaza to resume their operations.
The withdrawal of the 13th Battalion highlights the challenges faced by the Israeli occupation forces in their pursuit of victory in Gaza. The defeat casts doubt on the effectiveness of their strategies and the ability of the Golani Brigade to overcome the resilient Palestinian Resistance fighters.
Source: Al-Manar and Israeli media
