Israeli military completes withdrawal from Khan Younis following prolonged conflict
Following months of intense fighting, the Israeli military has confirmed the full withdrawal of its ground forces from Khan Younis in southern Gaza. Although a substantial presence remains in other parts of the strip, this marks a significant development in the region's ongoing conflict.
The Israeli military announced that its ground forces have been pulled out from Khan Younis in southern Gaza following intense clashes that lasted for months.
According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the 98th division has completed its mission in Khan Younis and is now leaving the Gaza Strip to rest and get ready for upcoming operations.
The IDF stated that a substantial force, led by the 162nd division and the Nahal brigade, is still active in the Gaza strip. This force is essential for maintaining the IDF's operational freedom and conducting accurate intelligence-based missions.
A CNN team reporting from the border area where troops enter and exit Gaza has not observed a significant withdrawal of troops. However, they have witnessed numerous tanks leaving Khan Younis overnight. These tanks are now positioned along the Gaza-Israel border.
An Israeli brigade usually consists of a few thousand troops, however, the exact number of Israeli troops that have pulled out of Gaza is still unknown.
In January, the 98th division was the largest division in the military, specifically strengthened to combat Hamas in Khan Younis.
The IDF declined to comment when asked by CNN about the reasons for the withdrawal. They also did not comment on whether this means there are no more forces on the ground in southern Gaza.
It is unclear what the withdrawal means for Israel’s plans to invade Rafah, the southernmost part of Gaza where many Palestinians seek shelter. Israel has stated that entering Rafah is crucial to their objective of removing Hamas from Gaza.
Israeli public broadcaster and CNN affiliate Channel 11 reported on Sunday that the remaining forces would be stationed along the Netzarim Corridor in the Gaza Strip. This corridor, named after the former Israeli settlement of Netzarim, divides the Gaza Strip and intersects Salaheddin Street, one of Gaza's main roads, creating a crucial junction.
Prior to their withdrawal, the IDF announced on Sunday that commando units had conducted raids and searches in the Al-Amal neighborhood of Khan Younis. During these operations, they discovered a long tunnel and claimed to have "eliminated terrorists." However, CNN is unable to independently verify these claims.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
Editor's P/S:
The Israeli military's withdrawal from Khan Younis in southern Gaza marks a significant development in the ongoing conflict. While the IDF claims to have completed its mission and is leaving to prepare for future operations, the exact reasons for the withdrawal remain unclear. The presence of substantial forces, including tanks, along the Gaza-Israel border suggests that Israel remains committed to maintaining control over the territory.
The potential implications of this withdrawal for Israel's plans to invade Rafah are also uncertain. Israel has stated that entering Rafah is crucial to its objective of removing Hamas from Gaza, but it is unclear whether the withdrawal from Khan Younis will affect these plans. The IDF's announcement that commando units conducted raids and searches in Khan Younis prior to their withdrawal raises further questions about the nature of the current conflict and the potential for future escalations.
