Israeli army announces withdrawal of troops from southern Gaza Strip. The 98th Division left the Palestinian enclave.
The de facto end of the Israeli ground offensive in its current form. From now on, the 162nd division and another brigade are still deployed. This is the line which notably prevents the return of Gazans from the south to the north. The army stresses that it continues to prepare for an operation in the city of Rafah. But it seems clear that this decision paves the way for a truce agreement with Hamas.