The IDF withdrew Sunday night all advancing troops from the Gaza Strip, the military radio reported on Sunday.
The 98th division, comprised of three brigades, withdrew from the Strip after four months of operations. The Nahal Brigade will reportedly remain in the Strip as a stationary force, preventing Gazans from returning to northern Gaza.
‘Hamas victory’: Israeli military withdraws ‘all ground troops’ from Gaza
Al Jazeera said it’s an interesting time to hear about the Israeli brigades pulling out of the vast majority of areas in the Gaza Strip, with the exception of a couple thousand soldiers in the central area.
It’s an area separating the southern part of the Strip from the northern part. In Gaza, it’s better known as Netzarim junction.
According to a statement made by the Israeli military, the reason to stay there is to prevent people from going back to their homes in the northern part of Gaza City.
Right now, what we’re looking at is not a complete withdrawal but rather a tactical one. Some of the troops are still there in Deir el-Balah, in the eastern part of the city, at the Netzerim junction right at the Erez crossing.
It’s largely viewed as a tool of pressure in the talks in Cairo, but many people believe this is more of a tactical redeployment – a preparation for expanding the ground offensive in Rafah city, which is consistent with the acts on the ground so far.
