Israel begins Gaza withdrawal under fragile ceasefire
Israel has begun withdrawing its forces from the key Netzarim corridor in the Gaza Strip as part of a ceasefire with Hamas, the AP reported on Sunday, citing an Israeli official.
Israel has started withdrawing its forces from the Netzarim corridor in the Gaza Strip, which is part of the ceasefire agreement with Hamas. The corridor divides the Gaza Strip into the northern and southern areas.
Withdrawal of Israeli forces
Soon after this announcement, representatives of the Palestinian group Hamas confirmed that the Israeli army had already left the corridor. Two weeks earlier, Israel had withdrawn soldiers from the western part of the corridor, which allowed Palestinians to return to their homes in the northern part of the Gaza Strip.
According to the agreement, Israel was to withdraw from the entire corridor on the 21st day of the ceasefire, which is Sunday. Israeli soldiers are also present in the Philadelphi corridor, separating the Gaza Strip from Egypt, from which they are to withdraw on the 50th day of the ceasefire.
Ceasefire
The ceasefire is in effect from 19 January to early March. It includes the partial withdrawal of Israeli forces, allowing refugees to return to their hometowns, increasing humanitarian aid supplies, and the exchange of Hamas hostages for Palestinians held in Israeli prisons.
The prospects of extending the agreement and reaching a permanent ceasefire remain uncertain.
