The pullout marks a reduced intensity phase in the war, as urged by the White House and Israel itself. But rocket sirens continued blaring late Thursday while Israeli bombs continued striking targets within Gaza.
Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, military spokesperson, reported several brigades (comprising thousands of soldiers) would be pulled out of Gaza in coming weeks.
Military spokesperson Daniel Hagari told reporters on Monday that five brigades of reservists were being shifted out of Gaza.
Israel has been bombarding Gaza with thousands of tons of bombs since beginning their conflict against Hamas on Oct. 7, and hundreds of soldiers have already lost their lives during this conflict.
Israeli forces have conducted a bloody campaign, striking hard at its targets with precision. Yet many Israelis now wonder whether or not this operation must come to an end at some point.
Even as civilian casualty rates climb, most Israelis continue to support its goals; however, that has not stopped protests from groups who demand that Israel either alter its course or end its war efforts altogether.
The Supreme Court ruling that strikes down parts of Netanyahu’s judicial overhaul could reopen divisions within Israeli society that preceded Hamas war, as well as weaken military unity.
But that is unlikely any time soon; Hamas has pledged an extended struggle against Israel and Israelis know they will have to contend with Palestinian desperation over settler depredations in the West Bank, Israel’s blockade of Gaza and international indifference toward their situation. In past Israeli operations, lack of an end-game or Day After has often hampered progress despite grand plans having achieved only temporary results.
He did not say how many troops were being withdrawn.
Israel’s military announced on Monday it is withdrawing some troops from Gaza as it anticipates fighting to last throughout 2019. A spokesperson did not specify exactly how many were being moved out, but said they likely involved several brigades of reservists returning to their bases for training and rest before going back into jobs or university studies as older reservists will. Israel believes this move will significantly lessen Israeli burden of war while helping focus more resources on crushing Hamas military and governing capabilities in Gaza.
An announcement of this event came shortly after a Palestinian minister warned of a humanitarian disaster in besieged territories, with hospitals overwhelmed and people left without access to clean water and food supplies. As Hamas attacks intensified against Israel in response to US pressure, US leaders encouraged it to scale back its campaign and transition to a lower intensity stage, as death toll approaches 20,000. President Joe Biden’s administration has also spoken out against Israel’s continued control of Gaza and advocated for progress toward a two-state solution, positions which put it on an collision course with their Israeli allies, who do not recognize a Palestinian state and insist it remain under direct Israeli control after war is over.
He did not say whether the drawdown reflected a new phase of the war.
Israel has taken its first major step to lower intensity operations in Gaza. American officials have been pressing Israel to take this action; Biden administration officials warned Israel against repeating the same destructive tactics seen in northern Gaza; they suggest more needs to be done to limit civilian deaths.
Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari noted that Israel’s move to demobilize its troops does not indicate any relaxation in their goal of eliminating Hamas. Instead, returning soldiers back home can ease economic strain, and training reservists locally will better equip them for future battle.
As Ariel Sharon explained during the Gaza disengagement in 2005, there was no Palestinian partner with whom to negotiate peace talks; therefore Israel should focus on eliminating Hamas as it had become “fascist cancer.” At that time many right-wing Israelis opposed this withdrawal and resigned from cabinet including Benjamin Netanyahu who went on to become prime minister later on.
But this week’s withdrawal will be a true test for Israel to establish an effective ceasefire and allow breathing space for Palestinians in Gaza. If Israel fails to do this, families waiting for missing relatives to return home could grow increasingly impatient while global public opinion could further prolong this war.
