Israeli forces have redeployed to the eastern side of the Zeitoun neighborhood, indicating their determination to remain in the area, which they see as a guarantee to control northern Gaza Strip. The neighborhood, located in Gaza City in the north of the strip, has been witnessing fierce battles for weeks, resulting in significant losses for both the Israeli army and Palestinian factions, according to Israeli reports.
In the latest battles, the Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, showcased footage of seizing two Israeli Skylark drones in the neighborhood, which has turned into a ghost town. Al-Qassam also announced the destruction of two Merkava tanks and the capture of an intelligence reconnaissance drone in the southern part of the neighborhood. The Israeli army withdrew its paratrooper brigade from Zeitoun and replaced it with other forces, while soldiers from the combat group of the 401st Brigade continue wide-scale raids in the historic neighborhood.
Why is Israel so adamant about Zeitoun? According to military reports, the strategic importance of the Zeitoun neighborhood for Israel lies in several factors:
- It serves as a window onto Al-Jalaa and Salah Al-Din streets, which Israel seeks to control as major routes, aiming to isolate different areas of the Gaza strip.
- It was home to around 78,000 residents, making it the densest neighborhood in the world, and it is in Israel's interest to prevent this large population from returning.
- It is the southern entrance to Gaza City.
- The wide open spaces filled with olive trees in the neighborhood have militarily distinguished it, making it one of the most resilient areas in Gaza against Israeli incursions.
The Zeitoun neighborhood gained military fame for resisting Israeli invasions during the wars of 2004, 2008, and 2014, serving as a launching point for Palestinian factions to attack Israeli army positions in northern Gaza, and it contains a network of Hamas tunnels.
Currently, since the war that started on October 7, Israel has a military presence in the neighborhood with these forces. According to military reports, the "36th Division," a mechanized division classified as one of the largest formations in the Israeli army, is spearheading the assault on the neighborhood, which includes four brigades, the most notable being "Golani" alongside the "401st Armored Brigade," known as "Iron Profits," consisting of armored battalions, infantry teams, and an engineering battalion.
