What’s happening: Israel has withdrawn most of its troops from the southern Gaza Strip, leaving only one brigade behind

The Israeli army has withdrawn all its ground forces from the southern Gaza Strip except for one brigade, said an army spokesman.

The army did not immediately provide further details. It is unclear whether the withdrawal will postpone the entry of the army into the city of Rafah in southern Gaza, for which Israeli leaders have said is necessary to eliminate the Palestinian Islamist organization Hamas.

The withdrawal comes at a time when Egypt is preparing for a new round of negotiations aimed at reaching a ceasefire agreement and releasing hostages. Israel’s offensive in Gaza, launched after Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, has focused on the southern coastal Palestinian enclave in recent months.
Rafah has become the last refuge for over a million Palestinians who have sought shelter in the area near the border with Egypt.

According to Israeli data, more than 250 people have been abducted and around 1,200 killed during the attack on October 7. Additionally, more than 33,100 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli offensive, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.

Typically, Israeli brigades consist of several thousand soldiers, according to Hina news agency.