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GAZA: Israel said on Sunday it had withdrawn more soldiers from southern Gaza, leaving just one brigade, as it and Hamas sent teams to Egypt for fresh talks over a potential ceasefire in the six-month conflict.
Israel has been reducing numbers in Gaza since the start of the year to relieve reservists and is under growing pressure from Washington to improve the humanitarian situation, especially after last week’s killing of seven aid workers.The military spokesperson did not give details on reasons for withdrawing soldiers or numbers involved. But defence minister Yoav Gallant said the troops will be preparing for future operations in Gaza. “The forces are exiting and preparing for their next missions,” he said at a meeting with military officials, according to a statement from his office, and “also their coming mission in the Rafah area”.
Israel says an incursion into the Rafah area, near the border with Egypt, is needed to eliminate Hamas but anxious foreign powers have said it could exact an unacceptable toll on civilians, with more than a million people sheltering there. Israel says it will evacuate civilians before launching an incursion.
Both Israel and Hamas, the group that controls Gaza, confirmed they were sending delegations to Egypt. But PM Benjamin Netanyahu warned that Israel would not bend to foreign pressure and give in to “extreme demands”. Hamas says an agreement must secure a complete and comprehensive ceasefire, full withdrawal of forces from areas occupied after Oct. 7.
The six-month mark in the war has been met with growing frustration in Israel, where protests have swelled over what some see as govt inaction to help free about 130 remaining hostages, about a quarter of whom Israel says are dead. Hamas-led militants took about 250 captives when they crossed from Gaza into Israel on Oct. 7 and killed 1,200 people. Over 33,100 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli offensive.
Israel has been reducing numbers in Gaza since the start of the year to relieve reservists and is under growing pressure from Washington to improve the humanitarian situation, especially after last week’s killing of seven aid workers.The military spokesperson did not give details on reasons for withdrawing soldiers or numbers involved. But defence minister Yoav Gallant said the troops will be preparing for future operations in Gaza. “The forces are exiting and preparing for their next missions,” he said at a meeting with military officials, according to a statement from his office, and “also their coming mission in the Rafah area”.
Israel says an incursion into the Rafah area, near the border with Egypt, is needed to eliminate Hamas but anxious foreign powers have said it could exact an unacceptable toll on civilians, with more than a million people sheltering there. Israel says it will evacuate civilians before launching an incursion.
Both Israel and Hamas, the group that controls Gaza, confirmed they were sending delegations to Egypt. But PM Benjamin Netanyahu warned that Israel would not bend to foreign pressure and give in to “extreme demands”. Hamas says an agreement must secure a complete and comprehensive ceasefire, full withdrawal of forces from areas occupied after Oct. 7.
The six-month mark in the war has been met with growing frustration in Israel, where protests have swelled over what some see as govt inaction to help free about 130 remaining hostages, about a quarter of whom Israel says are dead. Hamas-led militants took about 250 captives when they crossed from Gaza into Israel on Oct. 7 and killed 1,200 people. Over 33,100 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli offensive.
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