Heavy fighting in Gaza City’s Al-Zeitoun neighborhood has left one Israeli soldier dead, 11 others wounded, and four missing, according to Israeli reports. The ambushes, carried out by Hamas’s Al-Qassam Brigades, were accompanied by artillery shelling, airstrikes, and helicopter evacuations, forcing the Israeli army into one of its most serious crises since the war began. Military censors swiftly imposed a publication ban, intensifying speculation about the fate of the missing soldiers.

Ambushes And Intense Fighting

Palestinian fighters launched a series of ambushes targeting Israeli units from the 162nd Division and the 401st Armored Brigade. Troops came under heavy fire, and helicopters were called multiple times to evacuate the wounded. Airstrikes and artillery bombardments hit the neighborhood as Israeli forces attempted to secure their positions. The army is believed to have invoked the controversial “Hannibal Protocol,” a directive allowing overwhelming force to prevent soldiers from being taken captive.

Al-Qassam Brigades warned that Israeli forces faced “death or capture,” releasing a statement underscoring their readiness to continue ambush operations. The message was reinforced by images circulating shortly after the clashes, reminding Israeli forces of the group’s strategy of targeting troops deep inside urban terrain.

Missing Soldiers And Rising Pressure

The fate of four missing soldiers remains unknown, sparking fears they may have been taken prisoner. Search operations were launched under fire, with Israeli aircraft continuing to hover over Gaza City. Wounded troops were airlifted to Tel Aviv for treatment, while military leaders maintained tight restrictions on reporting.

The ambush adds to growing unease inside Israel, where recent battlefield losses have deepened debate over the war’s trajectory. Nearly two years after the conflict erupted, Hamas continues to demonstrate its ability to conduct sophisticated guerrilla warfare, undermining Israeli claims of weakening the group’s military strength. Public frustration is mounting as casualties rise, with divisions emerging between those urging a ceasefire linked to hostage negotiations and others pressing for continued operations until Hamas is defeated.