ِAhmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
The Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, announced on Tuesday the launch of a new series of military operations dubbed “Asa Musa” (“Moses’ Staff”), in direct response to the recent deployment of advanced Israeli armored vehicles known as “Gideon 2” units along the front lines in Gaza.
In a statement issued through their official communication channels, the al-Qassam Brigades said the operation comes as part of their continued resistance against what they described as “Israeli occupation forces’ aggression and technological escalation” in the besieged enclave.
“The enemy has introduced the Gideon 2 vehicles to the battlefield,” the statement read. “We, in turn, have mobilized our fighters and launched the Asa Musa operations to respond with force and creativity from the heart of the resistance.”
The group did not specify the nature or scale of the operations, but Palestinian sources on the ground reported increased military activity in northern Gaza, including the use of anti-armor weaponry and targeted ambushes against Israeli positions.
The “Gideon 2” armored vehicle, introduced by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) earlier this year, is an upgraded variant of the Eitan armored personnel carrier, featuring enhanced armor, advanced sensors, and systems designed to counter improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and anti-tank missiles. It was deployed as part of what the IDF described as “a new phase in ground operations” in Gaza.
Symbolism of “Asa Musa”
The naming of the operation as “Asa Musa” (Moses’ Staff) carries heavy symbolic weight. The reference alludes to the biblical and Quranic story of the Prophet Moses striking the Red Sea with his staff to lead his people to safety and confront tyranny. In the Palestinian narrative, this symbolism is often invoked to represent miraculous defiance against overwhelming odds.
Hamas framed the operation as both a tactical military maneuver and a broader message of resilience. “Asa Musa will be a blow to the illusion of technological superiority,” the group said. “For every new weapon they bring, we will develop a response.”
Ongoing Clashes and Worsening Conditions
The announcement comes amid renewed escalations in Gaza, where Israeli ground and air operations have intensified in recent weeks. Reports from the Strip indicate continued clashes in the Zeitoun and Shujaiya neighborhoods, while humanitarian agencies warn of catastrophic shortages of food, medicine, and shelter for civilians caught in the crossfire.
The Israeli government has not yet officially responded to the al-Qassam statement, but military sources speaking on condition of anonymity acknowledged that the IDF has encountered increasing resistance during its urban incursions, including what they described as “adaptive tactics involving tunnel warfare and remote explosive attacks.”
Regional and International Reactions
The launch of the “Moses’ Staff” operations is likely to draw international attention, especially amid growing concerns over the protracted war in Gaza and the rising civilian toll. Recent reports from human rights organizations accuse both sides of violations, while diplomatic efforts largely led by Egypt and Qatar remain stalled.
In Cairo, a senior Egyptian security source said the announcement by Hamas “adds a new layer of complexity to already fragile ceasefire negotiations.”
Meanwhile, in Tel Aviv, political analysts noted that the reference to “Asa Musa” could be a calculated psychological move aimed at resonating with broader Arab and Islamic narratives of divine justice and resistance.
