Israeli army reduces presence in southern Gaza: report

The Israeli military has withdrawn all but one brigade of its ground troops from the southern Gaza Strip, a military spokesman said on Sunday.

The military did not immediately provide further details. It was unclear whether the withdrawal would delay an incursion into the long-threatened southern Gaza city of Rafah, which Israeli leaders say is necessary to eliminate Hamas.

The withdrawal comes as Egypt prepares to host a new round of talks aimed at reaching a ceasefire and a deal to release hostages.

Israel’s offensive in Gaza has focused on the southern part of the Palestinian enclave in the past few months, following Hamas’s attack on Israel six months ago on October 7.

Rafah has become the last refuge for more than a million Palestinians who have sought refuge in areas near the Egyptian border.

According to Israeli statistics, more than 250 hostages were taken and about 1,200 people died in the attack on October 7. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, more than 33,100 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli offensive.

Israeli brigades typically consist of thousands of soldiers.