Gaza Strip: Israel announces the withdrawal of thousands of its soldiers

About three months after the start of its military operations in the Gaza Strip, the Israeli army announced the withdrawal of thousands of its soldiers. Meanwhile, bombings continue and are now concentrated in the center of the Strip, despite the presence of many refugees who fled the northern Palestinian Strip.

This is particularly the case for the city of Khan Yunis, which has been the scene of several Israeli strikes in recent days. The Red Crescent announced that it had set up a camp there to shelter these displaced people.

While many kibbutzim around the Gaza Strip were evacuated after the Hamas attack, the Israeli government announced that some residents will soon be able to return to their homes.

“In accordance with the recommendations of the Israeli army, we will soon be able to return communities to their homes, in areas located within a radius of four to seven kilometers north of the Gaza Strip. The first phase includes seven communities, and seven communities have already been identified, and Inform them of this. Kibbutz Dorot, where we are currently located, is one of them.”

Several kibbutzim were attacked by Hamas on October 7, 2023. Such as Kibbutz Kfar Azza, located two kilometers from the Gaza Strip. Of the 800 people who lived there, more than 100 were killed.

In total, about 1,140 people were killed by Hamas on 7 October.

The IDF's military operations, decided in response to the Hamas attack, have left more than 22,000 dead, according to the Hamas Ministry of Health, and are expected to continue throughout 2024, according to the IDF.