Yep seems the lower daily death toll is backed up by the IDF retreating
Could go either way...
Movement of Israeli troops could mean return of Palestinians to north Gaza
A news report says the Israeli military has withdrawn all ground troops from the southern Gaza Strip except for one brigade – or a few thousand soldiers. There might be two things going on here. We could see a redeployment of forces in anticipation of any ground offensive into southern Rafah.
That plays into the next thing we’re hearing – that by only having a few thousand troops, Israel may well be getting ready to allow people from Rafah to go back into northern Gaza. That is something quite key that Hamas has been demanding.
It means they are allowed to go back to their homes in northern Gaza, destroyed as those homes might be. It also gives Israel the opportunity to get a lot of civilians out of Rafah and into the northern territory, which allows it to mount that offensive.
The fact that we’ve now seen movement in these ceasefire talks in Egypt – with both the Israelis and Hamas confirming attendance – all of this could well be connected and that’s really what we’re hearing right now.
Not getting my hopes up yet
Reported withdrawal of Israeli brigades seen as a ‘tactical’ decision
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 (Beit Hanoon) 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.
Israeli army withdraws from the west of Khan Younis city: Reports
Israeli media report the Israeli army has withdrawn from the western portion of Khan Younis city in the southern Gaza Strip. “The 98th Division, with its three brigades, withdrew from Khan Younis last night after the end of the operation there after fighting that lasted four months,” Army Radio reported.
Only one brigade is left in Gaza, the Nahal Brigade, which is responsible for securing the corridor established by the Israeli army to prevent displaced Gaza people from returning to the north, it added.
Palestinian sources told Anadolu news agency Israeli forces retreated from all western areas of Khan Younis city but they remained stationed in the east. “As of this stage of the manoeuvre, the Israeli army completed its operation in Khan Younis and soldiers have completed their exit from there,” Israel’s Channel 12 said.
“Forces consisting of four different brigades are now stationed in the humanitarian corridor and in the northern Gaza Strip in the Beit Hanoon area.”
