The Israel Defense Forces announced on Sunday that it would withdraw all ground forces from southern Gaza, leaving a small force to maintain operations throughout the Gaza Strip.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also spoke at the beginning of Sunday’s Cabinet meeting, reiterating that Israel will not agree to any ceasefire unless Hamas releases all remaining hostages. The bulk of the troops withdrawing in the coming days will leave Khan Yunis, which has served as Hamas’ central stronghold in the south.
“Today, Sunday, April 7, the IDF 98th Special Forces Division concluded its mission in Khan Yunis. The division left the Gaza Strip to recover and prepare for future operations,” the IDF said in a statement.
“Large forces led by the 162nd Division and Nahal Brigade remain active in the Gaza Strip and will maintain the Israel Defense Forces’ freedom of action and ability to conduct accurate intelligence operations,” the statement continued.
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The Israel Defense Forces announced on Sunday that it would completely withdraw its ground forces from southern Gaza, leaving smaller forces to maintain operations across Gaza. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu assured his cabinet that the war in Gaza would continue, but insisted that “there is no more just war.”
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“I have made it clear to the international community that there can be no ceasefire without the return of the hostages. That will never happen. This is the policy of the Israeli government and we welcome the fact that the Biden administration has made that clear.” “This remains the country’s position,” Netanyahu said.
“One more thing I want to be clear about is that it is not Israel that is blocking the deal. It is Hamas that is blocking the deal. Hamas’s extreme demands for a ceasefire that will result in a ceasefire and leave Israel intact. “The aim is to ensure the survival, existence, and ability of Hamas to endanger its own country.”Giving to Hamas’s demands would allow it to repeat the crimes of October 7 over and over again, as promised. he added.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised his cabinet that the war in Gaza would continue, but insisted that “there is no more just war.” (GPO/Reuters)
Israel’s tit-for-tat war against Hamas entered its sixth month on Sunday, with no end in sight.
Israeli Defense Minister Job Gallant said last week that Hamas “has ceased to function as an organization.” military organization “in most parts of the Gaza Strip,” but work remains to be done elsewhere.
President Biden and Prime Minister Netanyahu are at odds over plans to invade Rafah. (Getty Images)
The IDF has been pushing for weeks to invade Rafah, a town on the border with Egypt that is home to about 1 million displaced Palestinians and, according to Israel, the last vestiges of Hamas.
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But Biden and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remain adamantly opposed to plans to invade the region, which the United States fears could come at a heavy cost in civilian lives.
