Israel begins troop withdrawal from Gaza’s Netzarim Corridor under ceasefire deal

Israeli forces have begun withdrawing from the strategic Netzarim corridor in Gaza as part of the ongoing ceasefire agreement with Hamas, an Israeli official confirmed on Sunday.

The move is seen as a significant step in implementing the terms of the 42-day truce.

New agency AP quoted an official, who spoke on condition of anonymity and said that the withdrawal fulfills one of Israel’s commitments under the agreement. While the exact number of troops being pulled back remains unclear, the decision marks a shift in Israel’s military presence in the region.

The Netzarim corridor is a strip of land that bisects northern and southern Gaza, effectively restricting movement between the two areas. At the start of the ceasefire, Israel permitted Palestinians to cross the corridor under controlled conditions.

Now, with the troop withdrawal, Palestinians are allowed to move freely to the north without Israeli inspections, which is a key requirement under the ceasefire deal.

The truce’s first phase includes the gradual release of 33 Israeli hostages by Hamas in exchange for several conditions: a pause in hostilities, the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, and an increased flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza.

However, with the ceasefire reaching its halfway mark, concerns remain over the negotiations for an extension.

The second phase of the agreement is expected to involve the release of all remaining hostages in exchange for a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and the establishment of what has been termed a “sustainable calm.” However, diplomatic progress has been slow.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has decided to send a delegation to Qatar, a key mediator in the ceasefire discussions. However, as per AP, the delegation consists of lower-ranking officials, sparking speculation that a major breakthrough may not be imminent.

Netanyahu is also expected to hold a high-level meeting with Cabinet ministers this week to discuss the second phase of the ceasefire deal. However, no specific date has been set, leaving the future of the truce uncertain.