The British Middle East Eye news website quoted what it said was a high-ranking Arab source familiar with the affairs of the Palestinian resistance factions as saying that delaying the Israeli ground invasion of Gaza is part of a disinformation campaign aimed at obtaining the element of surprise in a multi-pronged attack.

According to this source, these factions expect Israel to flood the Gaza tunnels with nerve gas and chemicals under the supervision of American special forces as part of a surprise attack on the Gaza Strip.

He attributed his information to leaks from an American source, who explained that Israel and the United States hoped to achieve the element of surprise in order to penetrate Hamas' tunnels, rescue an estimated 220 detainees, and kill thousands of fighters affiliated with the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas).

The Middle East Eye website indicated, in its report prepared by its editor-in-chief, David Hirst, that it was unable to independently verify the information contained in the leak.

According to the source, the plan depends on the element of surprise to win the battle decisively by using internationally banned gases, especially nerve gas and chemical weapons. Large quantities of nerve gas will also be pumped into the tunnels, and the American Delta Force will supervise “pumping large quantities of nerve gas into Hamas’ tunnels.” It is sufficient to paralyze physical movement for a period ranging between 6 and 12 hours.

During this period, the source adds, the tunnels will be penetrated, the hostages will be rescued, and thousands of Al-Qassam Brigades soldiers will be killed.

The Middle East Eye website says it has contacted the White House and the US Department of Defense for comment, but has not received any response at the time of publication.

The leaked information says that the details of the operation have been agreed upon, and that talk about Israel delaying its ground invasion is nothing but misleading information aimed at gaining an element of surprise in a multifaceted attack, which will include the landing of Israeli special forces in northern Gaza and along the coast.

The American Wall Street Journal reported yesterday, Wednesday, that Israel had agreed to postpone its expected ground invasion to allow the United States more time to deploy air defense systems in the region. Netanyahu said later on Wednesday that Israel was preparing for a ground invasion, but did not give the timing or any other details.

It is noteworthy that the Palestinian resistance launched an attack on October 7, which it called “Operation Al-Aqsa Flood,” which, according to Israeli officials, led to the killing of approximately 1,400 Israelis and the capture of at least 220 others and their transfer to Gaza, including soldiers and civilians. Israel launched a violent bombardment on the Gaza Strip, leading to the death of more than 7,000 Palestinians, more than 70% of whom were children, women, and the elderly.

Source: Middle East Eye