2024-04-07 17:37:30
Image source: Getty Images
7 April 2024, 14:22 GMT
Last updated 1 hour ago
The Israeli army announced on Sunday that it had completed “another stage” in its preparations for “war” on the northern border with Lebanon, where mutual bombardment with Hezbollah continues, while it said that it had withdrawn all of its forces from the southern Gaza Strip.
In a statement entitled “Preparing for the Transition from Defense to Attack” published by the Israeli army, it said that “during the last days, another stage of the Northern Command’s preparations for the war was completed,” explaining that these logistical measures allow “the immediate recruitment of reserve forces in the event of an emergency and their arrival to the line.” “The front will be supplied within a short period of time with all the necessary equipment to fight.”
The army statement added, “Commanders of regular and reserve units are ready to summon and provide all required fighters with equipment within just a few hours, then transfer them to the front line to perform defensive and offensive tasks.”
On Sunday morning, Israel launched air strikes on the Bekaa Governorate in eastern Lebanon, according to a source close to Hezbollah, while the Israeli army confirmed the bombing of the party’s positions hours following an Israeli drone was shot down in southern Lebanon.
Since the beginning of the war in Gaza, at least 359 people have been killed in Lebanon, including 236 Hezbollah members and 70 civilians, according to a tally prepared by Agence France-Presse based on party statements and official Lebanese sources, while Israel said that ten soldiers and eight civilians were killed by fire originating in Lebanon, since October. Last October.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant announced on Sunday that the army “has completed its preparations to respond to any scenario that might occur confronting Iran,” in reference to threats by Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah on Friday that Tehran would respond to the strike that targeted the Iranian consulate in Damascus and was attributed to Israel. Seven members of the Revolutionary Guard were killed, including two high-ranking officers, “inevitably.”
Image source: Reuters
Withdrawal from southern Gaza
The Israeli army announced, earlier today, Sunday, that all of its brigades left the southern Gaza Strip last night, except for “a large force led by the 162nd Division and the Nahal Brigade, which continues to operate in the Gaza Strip and will preserve the freedom of action of the Israeli army and its ability to carry out precise intelligence operations.” As reported by Agence France-Presse.
An Israeli army spokesman told the BBC that the army was “regrouping and making the necessary preparations for the next phase of the war.”
Lieutenant Colonel Peter Lerner says: “The Israeli army’s military campaign is constantly evolving. The war is not over and can only end when the hostages return to their homes and when Hamas disappears,” adding that the army has completed its mission in the Khan Yunis area, and its forces will begin the rotation.
Lerner explained: “What happened is a retreat of forces, but there are more operations that need to be carried out. It is clear that Rafah has become a stronghold for Hamas, and we need to dismantle the movement’s capabilities wherever they are.”
The Palestinian News Agency reported at dawn today that a number of people were killed and wounded in an Israeli air and artillery bombardment on Khan Yunis and Rafah, south of the Gaza Strip.
She said that the raids in Khan Yunis targeted the Al-Zinah and Bani Suhaila areas, east of the city, and resulted in a number of deaths and injuries.
Resuming talks in Cairo
The Israeli withdrawal comes at a time when Egypt is preparing to host a new round of talks with the aim of reaching a ceasefire agreement and the release of the hostages.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stressed before the start of the talks that there would be no ceasefire without the release of the Israeli hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip, noting that Israel was now “one step away from victory.”
Netanyahu said, “Despite increasing international pressure, Israel will not surrender to Hamas’ demands.”
1712517894
#Khan #Yunis #Israel #withdraws #forces #southern #Gaza #completes #stage #preparation #war #Lebanese #borders