TEHRAN- The Palestinian resistance fighters are engaged in fierce clashes against the invading Israeli army in the southern Gaza Strip. Reporters on the ground have described a scene of intense battles in the eastern sector of Khan Younis, which the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) invaded again several days ago.

Amid close combat with the IOF, reports suggest various Palestinian resistance factions have also ambushed Israeli troops, in sophisticated operations that lure IOF units to a specific location before they are targeted with locally manufactured weapons. 

On Monday, the IOF acknowledged that one of its officers had been killed in the southern Gaza Strip without elaborating on the exact location. 

After more than 310 days of the U.S.-backed Israeli genocidal war on Gaza, the Palestinian resistance has, so far, proven capable of halting the advance of the IOF, forcing it to retreat from various battle fronts on multiple occasions. 

Whilst the Israeli bombardment continues across the Gaza Strip, the intensity of the recurring IOF ground invasions has been in the southern cities of Khan Younis and Rafah. 

A widely circulated letter on news platforms, penned by some 100 IOF officials, offers insight into the Israeli military’s failures in Gaza. 

It is also in stark contrast to the public statements issued by military generals and political leaders in Tel Aviv. 

Addressed to Israeli Army Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi, the letter says, “In the past few days, we have been astonished by repeated statements from senior army officials that victory is within reach and it is possible to move to the stage of pinpoint raids.” 

The letter goes on to say, “We, who came from the field, know very well that the situation is still far from victory … This is not what victory looks like!”

It also refers to the strength and capabilities of the armed Palestinian resistance movement in the enclave. 

Statements issued by various Palestinian factions in Gaza say their fighters have targeted an Israeli armored personnel carrier with an Al-Yassin rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) in eastern Rafah. 

A building used by an Israeli force for cover was attacked with an RPG in the Tel al-Sultan neighborhood, in western Rafah, killing and injuring those inside it, according to the armed wing of Hamas. 

Hamas fighters also monitored and captured footage of an Israeli helicopter that landed to evacuate injured troops. 

In the east of Rafah, the armed wing of Hamas, the al-Qassam Brigades detonated an improvised explosive device that was planted in the ground and detonated against an Israeli infantry force. 

As the Palestinian resistance continues to confront the occupation’s army invasion of Gaza for 311 days, the IOF continues to commit heinous massacres against civilians across the enclave. 

Around 20 Palestinians have been killed after the IOF shelled Khan Younis in the south of the Strip. More than a dozen bodies arrived at Nasser Hospital, health officials said. 

The northeastern areas of Gaza City, the northern part of the Strip, have been subjected to Israeli artillery shelling. 

Israeli aircraft also attacked the Sabra neighborhood, while the Zaytoun neighborhood in the south of Gaza City was hit by Israeli artillery.

Israeli warplanes bombed a house in western Gaza City, killing a father, his daughter, and injuring others of the same family. 

In the central region, Israeli shelling killed a number of Palestinians at the entrance of the al-Nuseirat refugee camp, in addition to artillery shelling on the northern suburbs of the camp. 

Israeli artillery also targeted the eastern part of Deir al-Balah in the central region of Gaza, while the al-Bureij refugee camp was struck with airstrikes.

Elsewhere, bombs continue to land on places of shelter. 

The Gaza Health Ministry said in its latest statistical report that over the past 24 hours, the Israeli occupation committed three massacres against families in the Gaza Strip, killing 142 Palestinians, 107 of whom were identified and admitted to hospitals. 150 injuries were recorded.

The Health Ministry also reported that the toll of the Israeli aggression has risen to 39,897 dead and 92,152 injured since October 7, without including unidentified bodies from the latest Israeli school massacre in Gaza City on Saturday.