Gaza is the first stage of victory

Beebars crossed the Egyptian borders on July 26th 1260 A.D., and entered Palestine, and Qutuz followed him a few days later. They then crossed Rafah, Khaan Yoonus and Dayr Al-Balah, and became very close to Gaza.

We have already mentioned that the Tatars had previously occupied Gaza. As Qutuz, May Allaah have mercy upon him, expected, the Tatarian spies detected the forefront of the Islamic army led by Rukn Ad-Deen Beebars, and thought it constituted the entire army of the Muslims. They transmitted that news to the Tatar garrison which hastened to face Beebars, and a swift fight broke up between both parties. Meanwhile, the main army, led by Qutuz, was still crossing the Egyptian-Palestinian borders. However, as we have already mentioned, the forefront of the army was strong, and Rukn Ad-Deen Baybars was an outstanding leader, while the Tatarian garrison in Gaza was somewhat small, and the main Tatar army was a long distance far from Gaza. The Tatar army led by Kitbuqa was in the Biqaa‘ Valley, 300 kilometers from Gaza. The meeting took place far from the main armies of the Muslims and the Tatars; and with the Help of Allaah, the forefront of the Muslim army was able to emerge victorious in this small battle, and some Tatar soldiers were killed, and the rest fled northwards to transmit the news to Kitbuqa in Lebanon.

The Tatar garrison in Gaza was taken by surprise, which led to their bitter defeat. However, the Tatars were surprised not only by the sudden attack, the good military plan, and the high strategic dimensions to take the suitable positions, but also by the discovery that from among the Muslims, there was a part still able to fight, and carry the swords in defense of their religion, territory, honor and dignity. The Tatars were used to seeing groups of Muslims fleeing from them, and the Tatar leaders used to find Muslim rulers seeking disgraceful alliance and humiliating submission; and they never expected to find a Muslim sect still defending its rights.
That was the assumption of the Tatars, which, however, was wrong. This (Muslim) Ummah, no matter how weak it becomes, would never die, and even if some of its people submit, there would remain others to defend its rights as long as there is life on earth.
In this connection, it was narrated on the authority of Thawbaan, May Allaah be pleased with him, that he said that the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: "A sect of my Ummah will continue to be victorious on the right (path), and their opponents will cause no harm to them in the least until the Command of Allaah comes." [Muslim]
Exalted be Allaah! According to the narration of Imaam Ahmad, May Allaah have mercy upon him, on the authority of Abu Umaamah, May Allaah be pleased with him, there is the important addition: “The Companions asked about this sect, saying, ‘O Messenger of Allaah! Where will this sect be?’ He said, ‘In Bayt Al-Maqdis, and the precincts of Bayt Al-Maqdis.’"
Although those who fought the Tatars in Gaza and afterwards in ‘Ayn Jaaloot were, most of the time, not from the inhabitants of Bayt Al-Maqdis and Palestine, Allaah The Almighty Made this pure territory of Palestine a place for the Muslims’ victories.
Of course there might be flaws and declines, but the Muslims will inevitably stand once again.

https://www.islamstory.com/en/artical/20776/stage-victory