The Israel Defense Forces have announced a full withdrawal of ground forces from southern Gaza, leaving a smaller force to maintain operations in the entire strip. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated that Israel would not agree to a cease-fire with Hamas unless all remaining hostages are freed. The bulk of the troops withdrawing will be leaving Khan Younis, which had served as Hamas’ central bastion in the south. A significant force led by the 162nd division and Nahal brigade will remain in the Gaza strip to preserve the IDF’s freedom of action and ability to conduct operations based on precise intelligence.
Netanyahu assured his cabinet that the war in Gaza would continue, stating that “there is no war more just than this one.” He made it clear that there would be no ceasefire without the return of the hostages and blamed Hamas for preventing a deal by making extreme demands. Israel’s retaliatory war against Hamas has been ongoing for six months with no end in sight. Despite Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant claiming that Hamas has ceased to function as a military organization in most parts of the Gaza Strip, there is still work to be done elsewhere, particularly in Rafah, a town bordering Egypt where displaced Palestinians reside.
The IDF has been pressing to invade Rafah to eliminate the last vestiges of Hamas, but Biden and Netanyahu have opposing views on the matter. The U.S. fears that an invasion could result in a high civilian casualty count. Netanyahu insists that Israel is not the one preventing a deal, stating that Hamas’s extreme demands are hindering progress and jeopardizing the safety of Israeli citizens and soldiers. The Biden administration has also emphasized that a ceasefire will not happen without the release of the remaining hostages.
The situation in Gaza has escalated to a point where the conflict shows no signs of resolution. The IDF’s withdrawal of ground forces from southern Gaza marks a significant development in the ongoing war against Hamas. Netanyahu’s strong stance on continuing the war until the hostages are released reflects Israel’s determination to secure the safety and well-being of its citizens. The conflict has raised concerns about civilian casualties and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with the international community closely monitoring the situation. Despite efforts to negotiate a ceasefire, both sides remain firmly entrenched in their positions, prolonging the conflict and causing further suffering for the people of Gaza.
