Withdrawal of Israeli Troops from Gaza Sparks Fresh Government Rift

The recent move by Israel’s military to pull back one of its army divisions from Gaza has sparked criticism from National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, underscoring the growing internal disagreements about Israel’s military strategy in Gaza. Ben Gvir argued that the recent rocket fire from Gaza into Israel justifies the need to maintain military control over the region. This criticism came after the IDF announced the withdrawal of the 36th division, a significant step towards a new phase of the conflict, which Israeli officials had hinted at.

The conflict, which began on October 7, has led to devastating consequences in Gaza. According to the Hamas-controlled Ministry of Health, over 24,100 Palestinians have died, and approximately 60,834 have been injured. These numbers, however, cannot be independently verified due to the challenges in reporting from the area.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stated that the intensive operations in northern and southern Gaza are nearing completion. The Israeli military is focusing on rooting out resistance in the northern part of Gaza through various military tactics. Initially, the plan was for this intensive phase to last around three months, but adjustments are made based on the situation and intelligence reports.

The IDF spokesperson mentioned that the 36th division’s withdrawal is temporary, meant for rest and training, and future deployments will depend on operational needs. Currently, three IDF combat divisions remain in Gaza, including the largest-ever 98th division, operating in central Gaza.

These developments reveal divisions within Prime Minister Netanyahu’s cabinet. Earlier in January, disagreements emerged in the security cabinet meeting about post-war plans for Gaza and how to handle investigations into the security failures of the October 7 attacks. The disagreement reflects differing views on Israel’s future strategy in Gaza and the extent of military presence required.

Netanyahu, facing pressure from the U.S. to involve the Palestinian Authority, has stated that Israel does not plan to permanently occupy Gaza. Meanwhile, some far-right politicians advocate for a complete reoccupation and potential reinstatement of Jewish settlements in Gaza.

The conflict has led to significant displacement of Palestinians in Gaza, with the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine refugees reporting that at least 1.93 million people have been forcibly moved, often multiple times. This situation has drawn comparisons to the “Nakba,” the Arabic term for the 1948 displacement of Palestinians during the founding of Israel.