Israel Pulls Troops from Strategic Gaza Corridor Amid Fragile Ceasefire

Israel Withdraws Troops from Gaza Corridor Under Cease-Fire Deal

Israel is pulling back its forces from the Netzarim Corridor, the military zone that separated northern and southern Gaza, as part of a cease-fire agreement with Hamas, according to reports from both sides on Sunday.

The Netzarim Corridor was created early in the conflict as a military buffer, preventing displaced Gaza residents from returning north. Hamas spokesperson Abdel Latif Al-Qanoua described the Israeli retreat as proof that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s vision of “total victory” is nothing more than an “illusion,” according to the Associated Press.

Under the cease-fire deal reached last month, Israel agreed to vacate the 6-kilometer military corridor along with other populated areas in Gaza. The agreement also includes a phased exchange of hostages captured by Hamas during its October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. So far, there have been five prisoner swaps, the most recent on Saturday.

However, many aspects of the cease-fire remain undisclosed, raising concerns about whether both sides will implement the next phase. This phase includes extending the cease-fire, securing the full release of Israeli hostages, and achieving a complete Israeli withdrawal. Two families of hostages have petitioned Israel’s High Court to demand transparency regarding the deal’s terms, as reported by Haaretz.

Officially, Israeli government representatives have stated that discussions on the cease-fire’s second phase will proceed once Netanyahu returns from his trip to the U.S. However, critics doubt his commitment to following through with the truce.

Meanwhile, Israeli forces have launched new military operations in the West Bank. On Sunday, Israeli fire killed two women in the Nur Shams refugee camp, according to the Palestinian health ministry.

In response to escalating tensions, Egypt announced it will host an emergency Arab summit to address Palestinian issues. The meeting follows widespread outrage over a U.S. proposal by former President Donald Trump advocating the forced displacement of Gazans, which has been widely condemned in the region.