April 7th 2024.
In a significant turn of events, the Israeli military has announced the withdrawal of almost all ground troops from the southern Gaza strip. This decision comes on the six-month anniversary of the start of the deadly conflict between Israel and Hamas.
According to a military spokesperson, only one brigade will remain in the strip. However, it is uncertain if this withdrawal will affect the long-awaited incursion into Rafah, the only area in the strip that has not yet been targeted by Benjamin Netanyahu's offensive. The population of Rafah has tremendously increased as people flee from other cities, seeking safety from the ongoing fighting.
The situation in Rafah is dire, with nowhere else for the people of Gaza to go beyond crossing the border into Egypt. The withdrawal of Israeli troops also comes just before a new round of peace talks in Egypt, raising hopes for a ceasefire agreement.
It has been six months since the cross-border raid by Hamas that sparked the conflict, resulting in the loss of 1,200 Israeli lives. In response, Israel launched a brutal war that has claimed the lives of 30,000 Palestinians, including 14,500 children. For months, there have been rumors of a potential ground invasion in Rafah, adding to the already relentless bombardment of the southern strip.
The situation has reached a critical point, with a mass humanitarian crisis declared as the remaining Gazans in the strip face starvation and increasing blockade. Top UN officials have expressed concern over the potential harm that an army assault on Rafah could cause, considering the two million displaced people currently sheltering there and Israel's past use of indiscriminate bombing and shooting during operations in other Gaza cities.
In light of these developments, Hamas has announced their participation in the upcoming ceasefire talks in Cairo. They have laid out their demands, including a permanent ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, the return of displaced Palestinians, and a fair exchange of prisoners.
Meanwhile, the UK's Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, has expressed support for Israel's right to defend its security but also condemned the recent strike by Israeli forces that resulted in the deaths of aid workers. He has joined others in calling for a "humanitarian pause" to allow for aid to enter the besieged Gaza Strip.
This is a developing news story, and we will continue to provide updates. Stay tuned for more information, and be sure to follow The Agency on Twitter and Facebook for the latest news. You can also sign up for daily push alerts to receive our articles directly to your device.
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