Israeli Army Completes Withdrawal from Netzarim Axis in Gaza Under Ceasefire Agreement

Watan-The Israeli occupation army completely withdrew today, Sunday, from the Netzarim axis in central Gaza Strip, in implementation of the ceasefire and exchange agreement reached with the Palestinian resistance through Qatari, Egyptian, and American mediation.

According to field sources, Israeli forces retreated from the positions they had occupied inside the Strip to the eastern areas of the axis, at distances ranging from 44 meters to 700 meters.

Meanwhile, Israeli Army Radio reported this morning, Sunday, that the army had fully withdrawn from the Netzarim axis, which separates northern Gaza from the south, after more than a year and three months of occupation. According to sources, Israeli soldiers began the withdrawal process after midnight, during which some gunfire was heard as part of the sweeping operations conducted by the troops during their retreat.

The report stated that Israeli forces evacuated the entire axis in accordance with the provisions of the ceasefire agreement, which stipulated that the withdrawal should take place on the 22nd day of the first phase of the ceasefire implementation.

Additionally, sources indicated that security checks on returning displaced persons are still ongoing on the road leading from southern Gaza back to the north. However, no inspections are being conducted for those traveling from the northern areas toward the south. Over the past two weeks, approximately 600,000 Palestinians have been able to return to the areas they were displaced from in Gaza and North Gaza governorates, despite Israeli delays and attempts to obstruct the process.

The Gaza Ministry of Interior and National Security announced that movement regulations on Salah al-Din and Al-Rashid Streets remain unchanged. Vehicles must undergo inspection before being allowed to pass through Salah al-Din Street, while Al-Rashid Street remains restricted to pedestrian movement, with no vehicular traffic permitted. The ministry stated that any full reopening of the streets will be officially announced. In the meantime, citizens are urged to exercise caution and comply with the current movement regulations for their safety.

For his part, Hamas spokesman Abdul Latif Al-Qanou’ asserted that the complete withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces from the Netzarim axis marks a continuation of Israel’s failure to achieve its goals in the war of extermination against the Palestinian people. In a statement distributed to journalists, Al-Qanou’ said that the return of displaced persons, the ongoing prisoner exchange operations, and the withdrawal from Netzarim expose Netanyahu’s false claims and the illusion of achieving total victory over the Palestinian people.

The Hamas spokesman emphasized that all Israeli attempts to establish military control over the Gaza Strip and divide it have failed in the face of the resistance’s resilience and the steadfastness of Palestinians in the Strip. He noted that what Israel failed to achieve through 15 months of starvation, mass killings, and systematic destruction to forcibly displace Palestinians will not be realized through Trump’s real estate deals, brokerage, and political bargains.

About two weeks ago, following the first week of implementing the ceasefire agreement, the Israeli army began gradually withdrawing its forces from the Netzarim axis. This led to the return of more than half a million Palestinians from the southern and central parts of the Strip to the north. According to the ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement, which took effect on January 19, Israeli forces were to withdraw from central Gaza, including the Netzarim axis and Kuwait Roundabout, by the 22nd day of implementation, with all military installations dismantled.

Meanwhile, a senior Hamas official told Agence France-Presse (AFP) that Israel’s “failure to fully implement” the ceasefire agreement threatens to undermine the truce in Gaza. Hamas political bureau member and former Health Minister in Gaza, Bassem Naim, warned that the agreement is at risk but stated that the movement does not want a return to war.

Regarding negotiations for the second phase of the agreement, Naim noted that talks were expected to begin last Monday, adding, “We are still ready to proceed. However, the occupation is stalling… So far, I do not have a set date for negotiations to start… It may happen in the coming days.” Meanwhile, Yedioth Ahronoth reported that the Israeli security cabinet is set to discuss the second phase of the ceasefire agreement this week.