327: Chapter 327 The Crush List: 115,000 points

The air was thick with the pungent scent of gun oil, solder, and cement dust.

A year ago, the 'Furnace' was just an abandoned underground parking lot. Now, it could assemble five hundred improvised rockets of various types, refurbish three hundred captured rifles, and manufacture two thousand kilograms of mixed explosives every month. But for what was coming next—taking the flames of war beyond Gaza—this was not enough.

Far from enough.

Sinwar walked through the assembly line and entered a secret room in the deepest part. The door automatically sealed behind him. The room had no windows, the walls were covered in sound-absorbing material, and in the center was a metal table where a silver briefcase lay quietly. The case was already open, and its contents were projecting a pale blue holographic interface—Zhang Cheng's real-time communication channel.

“Sovereign.”

Sinwar stood at attention. Behind him, several local brigade commanders also stood solemnly.

Zhang Cheng's image appeared on the light screen. He was sitting in the study of the Presidential Palace in Naypyidaw, holding a cup of green tea, looking relaxed, as if he had just finished processing a batch of routine official documents.

“The Nablus matter was handled beautifully,” Zhang Cheng spoke in a flat tone, as if commenting on a successful commercial promotion. “I’ve seen the public opinion data. The proportion supporting Squid Nation's 'right to self-defense' narrative has dropped from sixty-one percent before the war to thirty-seven percent. This was a strike that cut the ground from under their feet.”

“They provided the bullets themselves,” Sinwar's tone was restrained, but the slight upward tilt of his chin betrayed the sense of accomplishment in his heart. “We just pulled the trigger.”

“I’ve brought you more triggers.”

Zhang Cheng set down his teacup, and his fingertips swiped across the holographic panel. A series of data and images instantly unfolded before Sinwar.

“You fought the first two stages of the defensive war of attrition very well. Now, Squid Nation's will to fight is beginning to show structural cracks, but their military machine has not yet lost its combat effectiveness. Next, they will try to regroup their forces under the cover of a ceasefire—what you need to do is not let them catch their breath, but before they can stand up,” Zhang Cheng's gaze turned from calm to sharp, “completely break this nation.”

Sinwar's pupils contracted slightly.

He had fought in Gaza for so long, leading ambushes, urban warfare, and tunnel warfare, even forcing the enemy to initiate ceasefire negotiations, but the strategic intent contained in Zhang Cheng's words was on another level—not forcing a peace, but breaking them. This meant a total escalation of the war.

“Please provide your instructions, Sovereign.”

Zhang Cheng pulled up a list. The exchange catalog scrolled before Sinwar like a waterfall.

“Total points allocated this time: one hundred and fifteen thousand points,” Zhang Cheng's voice was clear and cool. “The specific distribution is as follows.”

The first batch of items unfolded: two thousand Junior Death Soldiers. Their cover backgrounds were local Gaza youth and Palestinian refugee volunteers returning from abroad. Among them, seven hundred had basic experience in operating mortars and rocket launchers, and five hundred had received advanced urban warfare training—so-called 'advanced urban warfare' meant the ability to turn every tunnel and every ruin into a pre-set battlefield.

The officer tier followed immediately: five hundred Intermediate Death Soldiers. This group included officers with practical command experience at the company and battalion levels, staff officers proficient in intelligence analysis and electronic warfare, and professional non-commissioned officers specifically responsible for logistical coordination—for Sinwar's expansion plan to truly take root, soldiers alone weren't enough; there had to be a complete command skeleton.

Then it was the equipment's turn.

Two thousand QBZ-191 improved assault rifles—equipped with 4x optical sights, infrared pointers, and suppressors, adapted for urban and tunnel warfare. The accompanying ammunition covered standard, armor-piercing, and tracer rounds. Five hundred sets of 'Red Arrow-12' improved individual anti-tank missiles, with prioritized upgrades to seeker anti-interference capabilities, capable of effectively tearing through the interception windows of active defense systems. Three hundred sets of 'voroshilov-3' portable air-defense missiles, specifically for low-altitude targets and drones—Squid Nation's 'Heron' and 'Hermes' reconnaissance drones had threatened the tunnel network for too long, and this exchange was clearly intended to counter them.

In addition, there was a batch of new equipment: fifty sets of 'Shadow Dancer-2 Improved' individual optical camouflage systems. Compared to the first-generation model, the battery life was increased to eight hours, making it more suitable for the high-humidity, high-dust environment of the tunnels, and the thermal signal suppression module had also been specifically optimized.

Finally, the supply list: medical first-aid kits ensured at least one per squad, high-calorie combat rations for two thousand people to maintain high-intensity operations, and portable water purification equipment to ensure that long-term tunnel occupation would not lead to hygiene issues.

On the holographic screen, the list scrolled item by item. Sinwar's breathing was steady and restrained, but the local commanders behind him couldn't help but widen their eyes—this wasn't just 'supplies,' this was creating a new, modern infantry legion out of thin air.

“These materials will arrive in batches at three primary coordinates within thirty-six hours. Arrange for their reception and camouflage. Remember, the larger the scale, the more important it is not to expose the logistical source—the official narrative for the outside world: private donations from Palestinian expatriates and secret donations from some friendly nations.” Zhang Cheng closed the list and looked at Sinwar again. “I want you to expand your combat-ready infantry strength by at least thirty percent in the next three months. Not by piling up bodies, but through training and equipment.”

“Understood.” Sinwar straightened his back. “The unit reorganization plan was completed last night, and the candidates for commanders have been pre-screened. We are just waiting for the equipment to arrive.”

Zhang Cheng nodded slightly, showing an expression that bordered on appreciation.

“One last thing—the materials allocated this time include a 'Regional Communication and Perception Fog System,' the same model used by Houssa in Yemen. Once deployed, it can cover the core areas of Gaza, delaying enemy high-altitude reconnaissance, jamming communications, and providing electronic cover for your 'Shadow Dancer' squads. The specific operation manuals have been packaged.”

“Thank you, Sovereign.”

Sinwar closed the communication, the holographic image dissipated, and the secret room returned to dimness. He turned to the commanders behind him, his gaze lingering on each of their faces for a moment.

“The list just now, you all saw it.”

No one spoke. Several local commanders were still immersed in shock, as if they had just walked out of a thunderstorm. Someone subconsciously licked their lips; someone else clenched their fists.

“From today onwards,” Sinwar's voice was not loud, but it sounded like a hammer hitting an anvil, “the original 1st Resistance Brigade is renamed the '1st Gaza Liberation Army Brigade,' responsible for the static defense missions of the northern sector. The newly arrived two thousand troops, along with the core volunteers we've recruited locally, will be reorganized as the 2nd Brigade. The brigade commander is to be determined, and battalion and company commanders will be selected from the new arrivals. Complete the reorganization, garrisoning, and integration within five days.”

He took half a step forward and lowered his voice: “The 1st Brigade's mission remains to hold the existing defensive lines, creating an illusion for Squid Nation that 'we have no more strength to counterattack.' The 2nd Brigade's mission is to familiarize themselves with the new equipment and adapt to new tactics. On the day the integration is complete, I want you to strike from Gaza to wherever they want to go.”

An older local commander spoke, his voice rough: “Marshal, the Persians... just conveyed their 'concerns' through third-party channels. They mean they can give us proxy fees, but if we rashly escalate the scale of operations, will it lead to international forces...”