Shortly after the attack began, Chetwode sent messages emphasising the importance of this attack, warning that the trench line northwest of Gaza between El Meshaheran and El Mineh on the sea, was strongly held and offering another brigade from the Imperial Mounted Division, which Chauvel accepted.
Kort efter, at angrebet blev sat ind, sendte Chetwode beskeder, som understregede vigtigheden af dette angreb og advarede om, at skyttegravslinjen nordvest for Gaza mellem El Meshaheran og El Mineh ved havet var kraftigt forsvaret og tilbød endnu en brigade fra den beredne Imperie-division, hvilket Chauvel accepterede.