2024-01-18 13:38:56
Israel withdrew thousands of its soldiers from Gaza following “pressure” from the United States, to move to a less intense and more precise phase in its war once morest Hamas, the American newspaper “The Wall Street Journal” said Thursday.
The newspaper reported that this step raised concerns among some Israeli officials, given that the withdrawal would undermine the strategic goal of eliminating Hamas, which might expose the country to other new attacks.
She explained that the decision to withdraw one of the four Israeli divisions in Gaza gives Israel the possibility of deploying its forces in other hotspots of tension, such as the West Bank and the border with Lebanon.
Sky News Arabia obtains draft proposals for the future of Gaza
Israeli army spokesman Daniel Hagari revealed that Israel currently has 3 divisions fighting in Gaza, one in the north, the second in the center, and the third in the south, noting that the fourth division, “36,” was withdrawn for rest and training.
He added that the large deployment is currently taking place in Hamas’ southern stronghold, in the city of Khan Yunis.
Giora Eiland, a retired Israeli general, said changing Israeli tactics “may enable more civilians, including militants, to return to northern Gaza.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday that he adheres to the declared war goals, which are to eliminate Hamas.
But Aaron Bregman, a professor of political science at King’s College in London and a former officer in the Israeli army, told the Wall Street Journal that if a comprehensive victory over Hamas is not achieved, Israel may have to satisfy itself with less ambitious war goals.
He added: “Although Israel will never officially acknowledge this, the goal of overthrowing Hamas cannot be achieved, neither now nor in the future.”
Washington has repeatedly called on Israel to carry out precise military operations in Gaza, which will allow reducing civilian casualties and distributing humanitarian aid more freely.
More than 24,000 Palestinians have been killed since the start of the war, the majority of them women and children, according to health authorities in Gaza.
1705600634
#American #pressure. #Israel #withdraws #thousands #soldiers #Gaza
