Israel has completed its ground operation in the Gaza Strip: the IDF has withdrawn from the south of the Palestinian enclave

IDF withdrew troops from the south of the Gaza Strip/Collage 24 Channel

The Israel Defense Forces announced on April 7 that it had now completed the active offensive phase of the operation in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli military was withdrawn from the south of the Palestinian enclave.

According to journalists from The Jerusalem Post, this decision was made less than two days after Israel opened the Erez crossing and the port of Ashdod to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza. Despite this, the IDF left open the possibility of a future new invasion of Rafah in southern Gaza.

IDF ends offensive operation in Gaza

After the completion of the military operation, according to journalists, the IDF withdrew the entire 98th Division from Khan Yunis in southern Gaza, retaining the Nahal Brigade and part of the 401st Brigade in northern and central Gaza . Thus, Palestinians in southern Gaza and Khan Younis can now move without restrictions.

On the other hand, the Israel Defense Forces imposed a blockade, effectively cutting off the northern and central parts of Gaza from the south. As a result, more than two million Palestinians, including the majority of northern Gaza residents, are unable to travel between different regions.

This has resulted in between 150,000 and 300,000 Palestinians are stranded in northern Gaza, unable to leave their communities.

Hamas welcomed the IDF's withdrawal from Gaza, even a partial one, showing it as a victory in its mission insistence on the withdrawal of all troops from the region, including from northern Gaza.

An IDF official described the withdrawal from Khan Yunis as a strategic step that will create new opportunities for Palestinians in Rafah. The Israeli noted that with the opening of Rafah, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were able to return to the area.

Additionally, the official explained that the potential departure of more Palestinians from Rafah could make it easier for others to evacuate civilian population without the need to use force and aggressive measures.

How they reacted to the end of the operation in Gaza in Israel

Israel United Right Party leader Gideon Sa'ar commented on the move, saying that the constant reduction in force numbers and intensity of military pressure over the past months has kept the Israelis far from achieving war goals.

Meanwhile, the Hostages and Missing Persons Forum called on the Israeli government not to leave Israeli hostages in Gaza to their fate.