TEHRAN- The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) have withdrawn from northern Gaza’s Zeitoun neighborhood for the third time Since October 7. The region has proven tricky for Israeli ground forces to capture. In late December the Israeli military claimed it had cleared northern Gaza City, including the Zeitoun neighborhood, of Hamas forces.

An announcement by the Israeli military on March 3 said the regime’s 162nd Division and 401st Brigade had wrapped up a two-week invasion of Zeitoun claiming to have removed remnants of Hamas fighters.

On Wednesday, the Israeli military, for the third time since October 7, announced that its Nahel brigade has withdrawn from Zeitoun after invading the area once more.

Daily footage published by the armed wing of Hamas, the al-Qassam brigades, highlights the difficulties that Israeli ground forces are facing in northern Gaza, in particular the regions of Zeitoun and nearby Jabalia, which has also been invaded again.

Video clips show numerous operations in which Israeli troops, tanks, and other military vehicles are being targeted at close range with direct hits.

At times, Hamas fighters appear from holes in the ground, crawl toward an Israeli tank, the occupation’s troops can be seen in the background, an explosive device is planted under the tank and the fighters, who are accompanied by two cameramen, return underground in a matter of seconds.

The other footage published during the latest invasion of Zeitoun and Jabalia shows Hamas fighters firing anti-tank missiles, again achieving direct hits.

The filming of the operations and the ability to upload them on the internet has proven to be a key element in the success of Hamas and other Palestinian factions operating against the invading forces in the enclave.

In the majority of the clips, there appear to be at least two cameramen. One is filming and another can be seen in the footage standing side-by-side by the operative who is firing a projectile against the occupation forces. This is most likely to document the direct hits.

Experts say with the videos being widely circulated on social media, Israeli occupation forces have been forced to withdraw from the regions as the footage will likely reach the families of Israeli soldiers and captives in Gaza who are increasing their protests against the war being waged by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his hawkish cabinet.

Hamas has picked up on the psychological element of the rising public anger against the war among the Israelis and is clearly tapping into that sentiment.

The other element of the regular video clips, which experts have pointed out offers evidence to highlight how Israeli forces are fleeing under fire rather than defeating Hamas.

The north of the Gaza Strip has been subject to constant airstrikes and ground invasions yet Hamas appears to be holding its position firmly with surprise attacks and ambushes.

The underground tunnels appear to continue having an effective and deadly effect on the Israeli occupation forces. Analysts say there is no evidence the tunnels have been destroyed and they appear to be everywhere.

Northern Gaza has proven to be a very tedious task for the Israeli occupation forces to achieve Tel Aviv’s goal of eliminating Hamas. The north also offers insight into how difficult it would be for the IOF to dismantle Hamas and other Palestinian factions in the southernmost city of Rafah. Many Western as well as former Israeli military officials have pointed this out.

The ground invasions and air strikes have had a devastating effect on the population of the Gaza Strip.

More than 450,000 have now fled Rafah as Israeli forces expand ground offensives in the city. Some of those seeking shelter have already been forced to move around the coastal enclave at least seven times.

As Israeli forces renew bombardments in the north another 100,000 have evacuated the northern part of the Strip, having returned over the past months after Tel Aviv declared victory over Hamas, indicating the north is now safe.

Since May 6, more than half a million Palestinians have been forced to relocate to other parts of the coastal enclave as the Israeli military continues to wage its onslaught on the civilian population of Gaza.

The Israeli occupation forces are not fighting Hamas on the ground as Hamas fighters are proving impossible to spot on the ground.