Israeli reserve forces withdraw from Gaza Strip: Israeli media

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen English + Israeli Media
10 Feb 2025 18:23

Only two Israeli divisions are operating in Gaza currently, reaching the minimum since October 7, 2023.

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Israeli soldiers walk ahead of Palestinians displaced by an Israeli military operation to evacuate the Jenin refugee camp in the West Bank carrying their belongings on Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025 (AP)

The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) terminated the 99th Reserve Division and the Harel Reserve Brigade's services in the Gaza Strip, reducing reserve presence in the territory.

Israeli media noted that the reduction came after the complete withdrawal of the IOF from the Netzarim axis, highlighting that only two Israeli divisions are operating in Gaza currently, reaching the minimum since October 7, 2023.

Notably, the Israeli occupation had initially insisted on maintaining control over the Netzarim Axis, even if the war ceased, due to its strategic importance in dividing the Gaza Strip into northern and southern sections and the perceived significance of its presence in the area.

Currently, two Israeli divisions are operating in the Gaza Strip: the 162nd Division, which controls the northern part of the so-called buffer zone and secures illegal settlements from Zikim to Be'eri, and the Gaza Division, which controls the southern part of the buffer zone and protects the settlements in the southern envelope from Be'eri to Kerem Shalom, in addition to the Philadelphi Route.

Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth indicated earlier that the Netzarim Axis was an important element in the settlers’ ambitions to return to settlement in the northern Gaza Strip.

Approximately two weeks ago, as displaced residents of southern Gaza started returning to their homes in the north, Israeli Channel 14 reported that soldiers withdrew from Netzarim in tears, expressing a sense of futility over their efforts in Gaza during the past year.

In this context, the resigned Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir previously considered that the opening of the Netzarim Axis and the entry of tens of thousands of Gazans into the northern Gaza Strip were images of victory for Hamas and an additional humiliating part of the deal.