Hamas-Israel conflict: Israel withdraws ground troops from southern Gaza Strip

On April 7, an Israeli military spokesman said the country's army had withdrawn its infantry from the southern Gaza Strip, except for one brigade.

People take part in a protest calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and the rescue of hostages, in Tel Aviv, Israel, April 6, 2024. Photo: AFP/VNA

The Israeli military statement did not elaborate on the plan. Meanwhile, Israeli media reported that the Nahal brigade will remain in the central Gaza Strip to divide the territory into two areas and prevent civilians from the south from returning to the north of Gaza.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has reorganized its forces around Gaza after the new security zones were established, according to Israel's state-run Kan TV. The Israeli military will now focus on intelligence-based raids and regroup to prepare to return to Gaza if necessary.

The move comes as Egypt prepares to hold a new round of talks aimed at reaching a ceasefire and an agreement to release hostages.

According to the Gaza Strip health authority, since the conflict broke out in Gaza in October 2023, 33,175 Palestinians have been killed and 75,886 injured. Meanwhile, the Israeli side recorded 1,170 deaths, mostly civilians.

Earlier, an airstrike mistakenly hit a convoy of foreign aid workers from the World Central Kitchen in the center of the Gaza Strip, killing seven people, including British, Australian, Polish, Palestinian and American-Canadian nationals. This incident was met with strong opposition from the international community.

On April 5, the Israeli military said an investigation showed that Israeli forces had struck three vehicles belonging to the aid organization World Central Kitchens because they mistook the targets for members of the Islamist movement Hamas. However, they had violated standard procedures. The Israeli military has decided to dismiss a brigade commander with the rank of colonel and a brigade fire support officer with the rank of major. Several senior officers, including the head of the Southern Command, have been reprimanded.

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