The Israeli military has withdrawn from the strategic Netzarim corridor in the Gaza Strip after another exchange of hostages for prisoners within the framework of the current ceasefire agreement between Israel and “Hamas“, Israeli media reported today, quoted by DPA.
This corridor divides the coastal strip into northern and southern halves. Israeli military radio reported that Israeli troops had completely left the area, although there is currently no official confirmation, BTA specifies.
Israeli security sources said only that preparations were underway to implement the agreement.
Israel had already begun withdrawing from parts of the Netzarim corridor after the ceasefire with “Hamas“ came into force.
The agreement was expected to see the Israeli army completely liberate the area, except for a one-kilometer-wide strip along the Israeli border.
The withdrawal is intended to facilitate the return of more displaced Palestinians from the southern part of the enclave to their devastated northern hometowns.
Meanwhile, relatives of hostages still being held in Gaza have accused the Israeli government of a lack of determination in ongoing ceasefire talks with Hamas.
They have criticized the limited mandate given to the Israeli delegation sent to Qatar and warned of the risk of renewed war.
The three-phase ceasefire agreement, which came into force on January 19, aims to achieve a permanent end to the fighting and the release of all hostages still being held by the Iranian-backed Hamas group and its extremist allies.
During this initial six-week phase of the deal, 33 Israeli hostages are expected to be released in exchange for 1,904 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. Hamas said eight of the 33 hostages on the list are now dead. It is unclear who they are.