Israeli Occupation Army Withdraws from Southern Gaza: Understanding the Shift After Al-Qassam’s Strikes
Watan-Suddenly, and after half a year since the beginning of the war, all Israeli ground forces left the Gaza Strip. Hebrew media announced the end of ground maneuvers in the sector and the withdrawal of Brigade 98 from the Khan Yunis area.
The Israeli occupation army withdrew all ground forces from the southern Gaza Strip except for one battalion, according to what Reuters quoted from an Israeli military spokesperson on Sunday.
The end of ground maneuvers and the withdrawal of Brigade 98 from Khan Yunis The Israeli army radio confirmed the withdrawal of all units belonging to the 98th Brigade with its three battalions from the Khan Yunis area.
The radio added that only the “Nahal Brigade” remains in Gaza, operating in the Netzarim corridor separating the north and south of the sector.
While Hebrew media stated that the withdrawal of Brigade 98 from Khan Yunis is part of preparations for an operation in Rafah.
The Hebrew newspaper “Israel Hayom” cited Israeli political sources as saying that the Israeli army’s mission in Khan Yunis aimed to dismantle a Hamas brigade and retrieve hostages.
Withdrawal of the Israeli occupation army from southern Gaza
The sources stated that the army in Khan Yunis is currently unable to achieve further accomplishments regarding the captives.
On the other hand, the Hebrew newspaper “Yedioth Ahronoth” quoted sources in the Israeli army as saying that the army can return to Khan Yunis if necessary.
According to the same sources, “the army is preparing to continue operations against Hamas brigades that we have not dealt with in Deir al-Balah and Rafah.”
The Israeli army stated that one reason for the withdrawal is to leave places for displaced people who will be asked to leave Rafah.
The Israeli army radio reported that 5 rockets were fired from Khan Yunis towards the Gaza envelope, part of which was intercepted by the Iron Dome, after the forces withdrew.
Quality strikes by “Al-Qassam” in Khan Yunis
The withdrawal of the Israeli occupation army from Khan Yunis came just hours after qualitative operations carried out by the Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, in the city on Saturday, April 6, 2024, resulted in the deaths of at least 14 Israeli soldiers in the city.
The Israeli army admitted today that 4 soldiers, one of them an officer with the rank of captain, were killed by Palestinian resistance fire on Saturday.
Among the most prominent strikes by Al-Qassam yesterday in Khan Yunis was a complex operation in the Zanna area of the city that killed 9 soldiers and wounded others, according to what the brigades announced.
Meanwhile, Al-Qassam confirmed targeting 5 soldiers from point-blank range, injuring others, and destroying an Israeli armored personnel carrier with a “Tandem” shell in the Al-Amal neighborhood west of Khan Yunis city in southern Gaza.
