Israel has pulled all of its ground troops out of southern Gaza for “tactical reasons”, the country’s army has said, raising questions about the future direction of the war as Hamas and Israeli delegations travel to Egypt for a new round of ceasefire talks.

Two brigades will stay in the northern half of the Gaza Strip and the new corridor that now bifurcates the Palestinian territory at Wadi Gaza, the Israel Defense Forces said on Sunday, in order to “preserve the IDF’s freedom of action and its ability to conduct precise intelligence based-operations”.

It is believed the drawdown is primarily to relieve reservists after nearly four months of intense fighting in the decimated southern city of Khan Younis, rather than any significant shift in strategy.

MBFC
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    • Rapidcreek@lemmy.world
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      8 months ago

      Gotta look at trends. So far since the pressure…

      • Port of Ashdod opened for aid

      • Erez crossing opened for aid

      • Entire 98th Division withdrew from Gaza (here)

      • Israel’s war cabinet expanded mandate of negotiating team in hostage deal talks

      • 322 humanitarian trucks entered Gaza today, a record

    • Ensign_Crab@lemmy.world
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      8 months ago

      Imagine that. Biden had it in his power to change what Israel does after all.

      Wonder what other times centrists have said he’s powerless when he isn’t.

      • jeffw@lemmy.world
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        8 months ago

        I don’t know that anyone really believed he couldn’t do it. The issue is around what happens with your allies or political repercussions at home

        • Rapidcreek@lemmy.world
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          8 months ago

          As with all foreign relations, it’s a fluid situation. What can work today, may not be able to work yesterday.

    • jonne@infosec.pub
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      8 months ago

      About 6 months late, and after all the ‘serious people’ assured us things aren’t just that simple. I guess late is better than nothing.