Israel says it has withdrawn ground forces from Khan Younis in southern Gaza after months of fighting
The Israeli military said it has withdrawn its ground forces from Khan Younis in southern Gaza after months of fighting but a "significant force" remains in other areas of the strip.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Sunday that its 98th division had “concluded its mission” in Khan Younis. The division left the Gaza Strip to “recuperate and prepare for future operations," it said.
A "significant force led by the 162nd division and the Nahal brigade continues to operate in the Gaza strip," the IDF said.
When asked by CNN about the reasons for the withdrawal, the IDF declined to comment. The move raises questions over Israel's much-touted plan to invade Rafah, the heavily populated area of southern Gaza that has so far escaped on the ground fighting.
Israeli public broadcaster and CNN affiliate Channel 11 on Sunday reported that the remaining forces would be located along the so-called Netzarim Corridor, a route that splits the Gaza Strip in two. The corridor intersects one of Gaza’s two main north-south roads, Salaheddin Street, to create a strategic, central junction.
The IDF on Sunday said that commando units had raided and searched more than a hundred locations in the Al-Amal neighborhood of Khan Younis. It claimed that “terrorist infrastructure” had been found in every location searched, including a tunnel about 900 meters long. The Israeli military said it “eliminated terrorists” during its operation. CNN cannot independently verify those claims.
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