"Israeli" Elite Brigade Toll Climbs: Five Soldiers, Including Senior Officer and 37 injured

Source: Source: Agencies, , 06-01-2009

"Israeli" Army admitted that five soldiers, including senior officer, from the elite Golani Brigade have been killed in Gaza Monday night according to "Israeli" media, bringing the number of "Israeli" soldiers killed in the ground offensive according to "Israeli" media sources to six. Thirty seven other soldiers were injured including the Golani Brigade commander Col. Avi Peled, whose injuries were described as serious, according to "Israeli" media. The "Israeli" story was that the soldiers came under friendly fire.

Tactically, elite soldiers being killed by friendly fire has less impact than elite soldiers being killed by a few resistance fighters.

However the Qassam Brigades, Hamas' armed wing, confirmed that at least ten soldiers have been killed and more than 30 others were injured in an ambush for resistance fighters. Qassam Brigades source said resistance fighters have brought gradually an elite unit of the Golani Brigade to a booby-trapped house in northern Gaza.

The source added that when soldiers rammed into the house, it was blown up and resistance fighters then rained the trapped soldiers with bullets and grenades. "Israeli" helicopters evacuated the trapped soldiers under the cover of heavy fire and bombardment. The Qassam Brigades said it will unveil the details of this "special operation" later.

"We have prepared thousands of brave fighters who are waiting for you at each corner of the street and will welcome you with fire and iron," Abu Obeida, spokesman for Hamas armed wing the Ezzedine Al-Qassam Brigades, said in a broadcast Monday.

"We tell you in all confidence that your defeat in the Gaza Strip is approaching with every hour," he said. "As long as the aggression intensifies, your losses will increase and you will sink further into the Gaza quagmire." God willing, we are at the gates of victory and the Zionists will suffer only defeat and humiliation. The Qassams still have many means and have up to now used only a small part of their forces," Abu Obeida said.

War Minister Ehud Barak told lawmakers that Hamas had been dealt a heavy blow: "But we cannot say that its fighting capabilities have been harmed," he said. "Difficult moments lie ahead in this operation and the main test could still be ahead."