Israel Withdraws Some Troops In Gaza
After months of intense fighting, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has announced that it will be withdrawing its forces from southern Gaza. This decision comes after a demand from U.S. President Joe Biden last week for an "immediate ceasefire" in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. The IDF's move has been met with mixed reactions, with Hamas declaring it a victory while some Israelis express disappointment with the withdrawal.
The decision to withdraw from southern Gaza came as a surprise, as Israeli negotiators were in Cairo for hostage negotiations. Hamas had previously demanded a ceasefire before any new deal could be reached. The IDF will be leaving one brigade in Gaza, with the role of allowing Israeli troops access to return if necessary. This brigade will also carry out targeted operations, such as the successful raid at Shifa Hospital last month.
According to a top IDF official, the decision to withdraw was not influenced by pressure from the United States. However, the timing of the announcement, following Biden's call for a ceasefire and the accidental killing of seven humanitarian aid workers by an IDF drone team, suggests otherwise. Hamas has interpreted the withdrawal as a victory for its demands for IDF withdrawals, signaling a potential shift in the balance of power in the conflict.
The accidental killing of the seven World Central Kitchen aid workers has been a major turning point in the conflict. It has been regarded as Hamas's greatest success in the war, as the terrorist group has been successful in confusing the IDF about the identity of its targets. Hamas has a long-standing tactic of using human shields and civilian casualties as part of its asymmetric warfare strategy, further complicating the situation.
Biden's demand for an "immediate ceasefire" came after the United Nations Security Council passed a resolution that separated a ceasefire from a deal to return the remaining Israeli hostages. The U.S. also opposed an Israeli operation in the town of Rafah, near the Egyptian border, which was the last Hamas stronghold and key to Israeli victory. This has disappointed many Israelis, who wanted to see the military mission in Gaza completed.
However, the Biden administration's actions can be seen as a response to electoral considerations. Muslim and Arab-American voters in the key swing state of Michigan threatened not to support Biden, and young progressive voters also sided with the Palestinians. This political pressure may have influenced Biden's posture on the conflict and the subsequent IDF withdrawal.
Israel also faces other threats, such as potential attacks by Iran. The country has been threatening a direct attack for days, using its Hezbollah proxy in Lebanon to threaten Israel's northern region. In response, the IDF has been moving some troops from Gaza to the north in anticipation of a potential war. This, combined with the fear of losing U.S. support and ammunition, may have motivated the Israeli government to comply with Biden's demand for a ceasefire.
However, the decision to withdraw from Gaza may not be well-received by the Israeli public. Many see this move as a failure to complete the mission and defeat Hamas. Only a successful hostage deal may ease the tensions and criticisms within the country. The pressure on the Netanyahu government to show strength and determination in the face of conflict is likely to increase.
In the bigger picture, the upcoming U.S. elections in November may have also played a role in Israel's decision to withdraw. With a potential change in the White House, Israel may see it as their best chance to defeat their enemies, given Biden's more hostile stance towards the country. As the situation continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how this withdrawal will impact the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in the long term.