Israel starts withdrawing its troops from Gaza - AP
Israel begins withdrawal from Gaza (photo: Getty Images)
Israel is withdrawing its troops from a key corridor in Gaza. This is part of their obligation under an earlier agreement, Associated Press reports.
Israel agreed to withdraw its forces from the 4-mile (6-kilometer - ed.) Netzarim corridor as part of the truce. This is a strip of land that divides northern Gaza from the south, which Israel used as a military zone during the war.
At the beginning of the ceasefire last month, Israel began allowing Palestinians to cross the Netzarim to head to their homes in the war-torn north, sending hundreds of thousands of people flooding across Gaza on foot and by car.
The withdrawal from the area fulfills another commitment under the agreement that halted the 15-month war.
However, according to the newspaper, it seems that the parties have not made much progress in negotiations on the second phase of the agreement, which aims to extend the truce and lead to the release of more Israeli hostages held by Hamas.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sent a delegation to Qatar, a key mediator in the talks between the two sides, but the mission included low-level officials, prompting speculation that it would not lead to a breakthrough in extending the truce.
Netanyahu is also expected to convene a meeting of key Cabinet ministers this week to discuss the second phase of the agreement.
Israel-Hamas agreement
Israel and Hamas have recently brokered an agreement to release hostages and Palestinian prisoners.
As part of the agreement, a truce was established in the Gaza Strip. The parties have already conducted several exchanges. Israel demands that Hamas provide security for the hostages during the transfer.
US President Donald Trump said that the United States will allegedly take control of the Gaza Strip. He also spoke about the resettlement of Gazans.
Why does Trump need control over Gaza and what does the Middle East think about it - check the RBC-Ukraine article.
