Israel pulls out almost all ground troops from southern Gaza

The Israeli military has withdrawn most ground troops from southern Gaza exactly six months after the start of its most recent offensive last October.

One brigade was left in Khan Younis tasked with securing the “Netzarim corridor” that divides the Gaza Strip, according to local reports.

The military has been reducing numbers in the strip since the start of the year to relieve reservists while under growing pressure from its ally Washington to improve the humanitarian situation.

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

Rafah has become the last refuge for more than a million Palestinians sheltering in the territory near the border with Egypt. The UN has warned an assault on the city would lead to a “slaughter”.

Three Palestinians walk in front of a mosque and surrounding rubble as the Israeli military withdrew from southern Gaza exactly six months after the conflict began (REUTERS)

Israel had planned a ground invasion of the southern city of Rafah, claiming it is a hive of Hamas’s remaining strongholds. More than half of Gaza’s 2.3 million population are taking refuge in the city.

Following the withdrawal of the troops, Israeli government spokesperson Avi Hyman, said Mr Netanyahu would “absolutely” go ahead with a ground invasion of Rafah. “If we don’t go ahead with Rafah, we lose the war,” he added.

The White House claimed the withdrawal was likely so troops could “rest and refit” rather than a move towards a new operation.

“They’ve been on the ground for four months, the word we’re getting is they’re tired, they need to be refit,” National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told ABC news.

This story is being updated.

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