US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby suggested that the Israeli occupation army’s announcement of withdrawal from the southern Gaza Strip was “just a rest and renewal of its forces” Kirby told the American ABC channel on Sunday: “According to what we understand, and based on what they announced, it is in fact a period of rest and a restoration of fitness for the Israeli army forces who have been on the ground for 4 months” But the American official clarified that the withdrawal is not “necessarily” an indication of an imminent new operation by these forces.