In September 2023, the Joint Operations Room of the Palestinian Resistance inaugurated a memorial in Rafah on the occasion of Resistance Day after the victory of the Revenge of the Free battle, commemorating the anniversary of the expulsion of settlers from the Gaza Strip.
The landmark, adorned with mortars, Shuath explosives, rockets, and grenades around a defiant fist, symbolizes the unity and strength of our people, a reminder that Gaza is the graveyard of invaders.
Its location, Rafah, known as “The Black Box” since 2014, was not chosen trivially. Rafah has made its mark over decades in the history of resistance, its tunnels swallowing soldiers and its soil giving birth to heroes like Abu Ataya and twins of resistance, commanders “soldier hunter” Raed Al-Attar and Rafah Brigade founder Mohammed Abu Shamala. It is a generous governorate which has offered many martyrs.
Rafah carries a not only historical, strategic importance in resistance, but also humanitarianly, as its border crossing is the main entry for aid amidst a suffocating siege and international silence. Its history stretches thousands of years, with major historical battles fought on its soil, from the Egyptians and Romans to the Ottomans and British.
In 2006 and 2014, the tunnels of Rafah swallowed soldiers Gilad Shalit and Hadar Goldin. Hadar remains in the tunnels after 10 years.
Today, the Al-Qassam Rafah Battalion is comprised of 4 brigades, led by Sheikh Abu Anas Shabana (whose sons Abdelnasser and Mahmoud were martyred in the October 7th crossing), in addition to brigades of other factions, who today alone carried out dozens of operations east of Rafah.
The IOF has witnessed Rafah’s might in wars past, so today’s explosion of resistance should not be a surprise to it. The world’s eye has turned to this ancient city no larger than 60 sq km, but what does it know of its resistance?
The enemy is preparing to expand its operations in Rafah.
The resistance is ready. Rafah will remain the indomitable black box.
source: RNN