While negotiations are due to resume this Sunday, April 7, in Cairo, six months after the bloody attacks by Hamas, the Israeli army announced, that same day, the withdrawal of its troops from the south of the Gaza Strip.
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With our correspondent in Jerusalem, Michael Paul
The Israeli army announced this Sunday, April 7, the withdrawal of all its troops from the south of the Strip. Gaza, including Khan Younès. The 98th Division left the Palestinian enclave.
The de facto end of the Israeli ground offensive in its current form. From now on, the 162nd division and another brigade are still deployed in the Palestinian enclave, mainly on the route of the axis which cuts the Gaza Strip in two. This is the line which notably prevents the return of Gazans from the south to the north.
Change of strategy
A military spokesperson indicates at the same time that Israeli troops are redeploying around the Gaza Strip. With a new strategy now: one-off incursions based on precise intelligence from the security services, notably the Shin Bet and military intelligence.
The army stresses that it continues to prepare for an operation in the city of Rafah. And that this redeployment is not linked to political pressure or ultimatums from the United States. But it seems clear that this decision paves the way for a truce agreement with Hamas.
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