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Israel Says It Has Reduces Troops In South Gaza, Amid Backlash Over War

Palestinians wait at the Rafah border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt Gaza Strip on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. Israel carried out some limited ground operations ahead of an expected broader land offensive against Gaza's militant Hamas rulers following their attack into southern Israel a week ago. (AP Photo/Hatem Ali)

The Israeli military has withdrawn more ground troops from the southern Gaza Strip, leaving just one brigade there six months after the start of its offensive, a spokesperson for the force said on Sunday.

The military has been reducing numbers in Gaza since the start of the year to relieve reservists and under growing pressure from its ally Washington to improve the humanitarian situation. It did not give details on its reasons for withdrawing soldiers or the numbers involved.

Meanwhile, Egypt is preparing to host a new round of talks aimed at reaching a ceasefire and hostage release deal, which both Israel and Hamas said they would attend.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would not bend to international pressure and give in to “extreme demands” by Hamas, the Islamist movement that controls Gaza.
Palestinian residents of the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis, which has come under Israeli bombardment in recent months, said they had seen Israeli forces leaving the centre of the city and retreating to the eastern districts.

It was unclear whether the withdrawal would delay a long-threatened incursion into the southern Gaza city of Rafah, which Netanyahu says is needed to eliminate Hamas.

Read the full story from Reuters.

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