Israel Withdraws Thousands Of Тroops From Gaza

The Israeli army has confirmed that thousands of troops will be withdrawn from the Gaza Strip. In preparation for an anticipated lower-intensity phase of the war, which began on October 7 against the Islamist movement Hamas, however, the Israel Defense Forces said they expected the fighting to last at least six months or even all of 2024.

Strikes on southern Gaza intensified overnight with planes and tanks, but according to a United States official quoted by Reuters, at least in the north there were indications of a shift to lower-intensity operations.

This week, the 55th and 14th brigades, made up of reservists, return to their families. Another three brigades are going on scheduled training activities in the coming weeks. Many of the older reservists will be going home in these as well, however.

The decision was expected in the final weeks of the war, following a surprise attack by Hamas that left 1,200 dead. On the Palestinian side, according to Hamas-controlled health authorities in Gaza, 22,000 people have been killed in the bombing and ground operation (Israel says thousands of them are fighters).

In that situation, pressure is growing from the international community for a new ceasefire, and the United States, Israel's leading backer, pushed last month for a more precise approach limiting civilian casualties.

However, the decision to withdraw was also related to the negative effects of the war on the economy. The country does not specify the number of its forces in Gaza at the moment, but announced that it will call up about 300,000 reservists - 10-15% of the workforce. Many of them are unable to work in their companies or are prevented from continuing their business or studies. Central Bank Governor Amir Yaron said Monday...