Following the Israeli military’s exit from southern Gaza, the region is now in a state of uncertainty as the fighting has decreased significantly since the truce with Hamas in November.
Despite hopes for a new ceasefire after Israel’s withdrawal, both Hamas and Israeli officials indicate that the conflict is far from over.
Experts suggest that Israel’s troop withdrawal marks a shift into a new phase of the war, focusing on preventing Hamas’s resurgence through small-scale operations across Gaza. This strategy aims to find a balance between a lasting truce and a major ground assault on Rafah, Hamas’s stronghold in southern Gaza.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel is still working towards securing the release of its hostages while also aiming for “total victory over Hamas.” He emphasized the need to enter Rafah and eliminate terrorist groups, without specifying a timeline.
By withdrawing before completely eradicating Hamas and without empowering an alternative Palestinian leadership, Israel has created a power vacuum in Gaza, potentially allowing Hamas to regroup and regain strength.
The Israeli military’s 98th Division has left Khan Younis in southern Gaza to regroup for future operations, leaving no active Israeli troops in the area. This move is part of a larger strategy to focus on targeted attacks rather than large-scale ground maneuvers.
The drawdown of troops, which began in January, now leaves only a small brigade in Gaza, down from tens of thousands during the peak of the conflict.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant praised the 98th Division’s operations in southern Gaza, claiming they have significantly weakened Hamas in that region.
Remaining troops in Gaza are mainly securing a buffer zone along the border and a land corridor dividing northern Gaza from the rest of the territory.
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2024-04-08 19:48:24
Source from www.nytimes.com
