Israel Withdraws Military Troops From Khan Younis Gaza, Operation Eliminates Hamas Still Priority

Children's condition in Gaza refugee camps queued for food amid the conditions of attacks by Israel/DOK UNRWA via news.un.org

JAKARTA - Israel withdrew military forces from Khan Younis, southern Gaza after months of fierce fighting.

Israeli military forces (IDF) said the 98th division had completed its mission in Khan Younis. The division left the Gaza Strip to "repair and prepare future operations."

Reported by CNN, the IDF said the great force led by the 162 division and the Nahal brigade will continue to operate in the Gaza Strip, and will maintain IDF's freedom of action and its ability to carry out proper intelligence-based operations.

CNN reports that a number of tanks were pulled out of Khan Younis overnight. They are now stationed on the border of Gaza and Israel.

The Israeli Brigade usually has thousands of troops, but it remains unclear how many Israeli soldiers have been drawn from Gaza.

In January, the 98th division was the largest division of the military ever, as the division was specifically strengthened against Hamas in Khan Younis.

IDF Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi said at a press conference on Sunday, April 7, the military was "still far from stopping its operations in the Gaza Strip" after the withdrawal.

We will not allow Hamas brigades to be active in any area of the Gaza Strip. We have plans and will act when we decide, "he said, adding that military goals in Gaza have not been fully achieved, including the return of all hostages, the return of displaced residents to the north, and the removal of Hamas throughout Gaza.