The Israeli army has withdrawn all but one brigade of ground forces from the southern Gaza Strip, a military spokesperson announced on Sunday.
The military did not immediately provide further details. It is unclear whether the withdrawal will delay an invasion of Rafah in southern Gaza, which Israeli leaders have long threatened is necessary to eliminate Hamas.
The withdrawal comes as Egypt prepares to host new talks aimed at reaching a ceasefire and hostage release agreement.
Israeli attacks in Gaza, which began six months ago in response to Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, have focused in recent months on the southern part of the Palestinian enclave.
Rafah is the last refuge for more than 1 million Palestinians who have taken refuge in areas near the border with Egypt.
The October 7 attack took more than 250 hostages and killed about 1,200 people, according to an Israeli tally.
According to the Gaza Health Ministry, more than 33,100 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks.
Israeli brigades typically consist of several thousand troops.
