There are conflicting reports about the reason why Israel is pulling thousands of troops out of Gaza. Qatar-owned Al-Jazeera states that Israel is under pressure from the United States to move to a low-intensity war. IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari was quoted by Washington Post: “The move is expected to ‘significantly ease the burden on the economy.’” The Associated Press claimed “a possible precursor to a scaled-back offensive.”
The Biden administration has faced internal divisions about its support for Israel from the start, and it’s no secret that America has been pressuring Israel to downscale. None of this insinuates that Israel is beleaguered and is scaling back its offensive due to its own failure. Israel is moving on to a new phase of the war.
Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant issued a statement on January 1, 2024:
“I have just returned from the Gaza Strip, where I met our troops. As they fight, they face our enemy [Hamas] and behind them are Israel’s southern communities. They know their mission and their performance is excellent, so that here, in our southern communities, life will return to its course.”
“In accordance with the recommendations given by the IDF and the defense establishment, we will soon be able to return [displaced] communities home, in areas within a range of four to seven kilometers north of the Gaza strip.”
“The National Reconstruction Administration (Tekuma) will also address education, among other issues, so that a gradual return will be made possible, starting with the first phase of communities within 7 kilometers, and then later moving on to all the remaining communities.”
Meanwhile, a statement by Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday, showed strong resolve and support from the US:
“Citizens of Israel, the war is continuing. We are fighting on all fronts. We have major successes but we have also paid a painful price. Achieving victory requires more time. Just as the Chief of Staff said this week: ‘The war will continue for many more months.’
My policy is clear: We are continuing to fight until the goals of the war have been achieved, especially the elimination of Hamas and the release of all our hostages. We are not relenting – even for a moment – in our efforts to bring our hostages back home, even at this very moment. We will ensure that Gaza no longer constitutes a threat to Israel, that there will be no element in it that finances terrorism, educates its children for terrorism and pays the families of terrorists.
We have additional important missions: To restore security in both the south and the north, to restore prosperity to the kibbutzim, moshavim and cities that have been attacked, and to return the residents to their homes.
As Prime Minister, I have rejected the international pressure aimed at stopping the war before we achieve these goals. I appreciate the US support for Israel, as this was expressed last week in the UN Security Council and in the approval that was given yesterday by the American administration for the supply of additional war materiel for the IDF.”
(Courtesy—statements and photo: Israel Government Press Office)
Bexarkat says
Hagari’s response is the correct one. Israel’s resources are not unlimited and soldiers need to be discharged to get back to work and school to rebuild the economy. In a nation of under 10 million population, the sheer size of the mobilization is enough to bankrupt any other country Israel’s size, but Israel has been through this many times before, and its populace are willing to suffer and contribute as necessary.
VMS says
Hopefully the withdrawal is merely a shift change. Israel should not let up one bit. Hamas is fighting on borrowed sleep and borrowed time, Whereas Israeli troops have the luxury of getting good sleep, a shower and a fresh uniform and a rotation out of combat. Keeping the pressure up is the only way to minimize Israeli losses in the months ahead. Only when Hamas is completely decimated will Israel have peace at that border for the next 40 years.
FYI says
The IDF:
FREEING PALESTINE…….FROM HAMAS