Click to see full-size image. (The Israeli Defense Forces)
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) has withdrawn nearly completely of the northern part of the Gaza Strip, the Al Mayadeen TV reported on December 6, citing a field source.
The two areas in which Israeli troops still maintain a presence are al-Toam area and al-Makousi Towers, which extend from the north of the Strip toward Gaza City, the unnamed source told the Lebanon-based news channel, adding that the area is an essential supply and withdrawal route for the IDF.
The source also noted that the IDF did not withdraw from the Tenth Street, which cuts between Gaza City and the central part of the Strip.
“Resistance fighters continuously engaged Israeli occupation forces in the northern and Gaza axes, which prevented Israeli occupation forces from establishing safe positions, pushing them to withdraw toward Netzarim [settlement],” the source said.
Al Mayadeen’s source pointed out that the areas of al-Bureij, al-Nuseirat, al-Maghazi, al-Mughraqa, and Juhr al-Dik in central Gaza are witnessing moderate battles coinciding with intense strikes by the IDF.
Meanwhile, the city of Khan Younis in the southern part of the Strip is experiencing the fiercest confrontations, especially in its center, where the Israeli advance has been lagging, the source said.
Near the separation wall with Israeli territories to the east of Khan Younis, specifically in the towns of Khuzaa, Aabsan, and Bani Suhaila, the IDF have not been able to achieve any progress due to the “Resistance’s operations,” according to the source.
Videos posted to social media on January 6 showed several devastated areas in northern Gaza after the withdrawal of Israeli troops.
The Hamas Movement and other armed factions in Gaza reported the destruction or damage of hundreds of IDF vehicles in recent weeks. At least 175 Israeli troops have been killed in ground operations in the Strip so far. Hundreds others have been wounded.
The IDF widened its air and ground attacks on northern Gaza in December and shifted focus to the southern part of the Strip.
Earlier this week, Israel said it was withdrawing two brigades from Gaza, with three more brigades to be pulled out at a future date. However, Defense Minister Yoav Gollan said during a visit with troops in the central part of the Strip that an assumption that the withdrawal from the north presaged an end to the conflict was “wrong.”
The IDF said more than once that its operations in Gaza will go on for months and it seeks to maintain freedom of movement within the Strip.
Since the outbreak of the Israeli war on Gaza, at least 22,722 Palestinian have been killed, according to the latest update by the Hamas-run health ministry. More than 58,166 others have also been wounded. Women and children make the majority of the casualties.
