Israeli Defense Minister Gallant announced on the 7th, six months after the start of the fight against the Islamic organization Hamas, that the military had withdrawn its troops from Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip.
Although it is said that this is to prepare for future operations in Rafah, the southernmost region, the United States continues to oppose large-scale ground operations in Rafah, where many evacuees are sheltering.
*We will keep you updated on developments regarding Israel and Palestine as of April 8, Japan time.
Regarding the reason for the withdrawal, Defense Minister Gallant said, ``It is to prepare for future operations including Rafah,'' and expressed his intention to proceed with preparations for ground operations in Rafah, the southernmost part of the Gaza Strip.
Regarding the withdrawal, White House aide Kirby said in an interview with ABC TV on the 7th, ``From the announcement from the Israeli side, this is a plan to rest and reequip the troops who have been stationed there for four months.'' I understand that this is for the sake of this."
"While I cannot speak to what these forces will do after they rest and re-equip, it remains clear that the United States will not support a large-scale ground operation in Rafah," Kirby said on CBS TV. ” he said.
In parallel with the change in the situation in the Gaza Strip, some Israeli media reported that negotiations over a cessation of fighting and the release of hostages would be held in the Egyptian capital Cairo on the night of the 7th.
Hamas has also announced that it will send a delegation to the negotiations, but there is a wide gap between the positions of Hamas, which seeks a ceasefire, and Israel, which aims to destroy Hamas to the last, and it is unclear whether a compromise can be reached.
Local media reported that six people were killed in Israeli airstrikes in multiple locations in the Gaza Strip on the 7th, and local health authorities announced on the 7th that 33,175 people had died so far. And the number of victims continues to increase.
Expert: Was it influenced by efforts from the United States?
On the 7th, Roni Shaked of the Truman Peace Institute at Hebrew University, an expert on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, gave an online interview to NHK.
Regarding the Israeli military's withdrawal of troops from Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip, he said, ``Recently, American pressure on Israel has been increasing.If we conduct a ground operation against Rafah, we will lose American support.'' "The most important thing for Israel is to avoid isolation," he said, suggesting that the approach from the United States may have had an influence.
He also expressed the view that once the troops are withdrawn, they will move on to targeted operations based on advance information.
He also expressed the view that this withdrawal will make it easier to provide support to the residents of the Gaza Strip, adding, ``The withdrawal of troops from the Gaza Strip will make it easier to negotiate for the release of the hostages.'' ' he expressed his expectations.
However, Shaked said, ``I don't know what Prime Minister Netanyahu is thinking. He may eventually approve a ground operation in Rafah to evacuate the population and destroy Hamas.''