ALBAWABA - The Israeli military has announced that it is leaving Khan Yunus in southern Gaza, capping out a roughly four-month ground operation.
US on high alert for possible Iranian attack on Eid al-Fitr following the arrest of ISIS leadersThe army spokesperson made the news, saying that the 98th Commando Brigade—which was in charge of the Khan Yunus operation—had achieved its goals in the region.
It is said that the brigade withdrew from the Gaza Strip over night, leaving just the Nahal Brigade in its wake, ostensibly to discourage residents from going back to the northern part of Gaza.
According to a White House spokesman, the Israeli army's declaration of its pullout from southern Gaza is probably only a "break" for its personnel.
John Kirby told ABC News, "From what we understand, and based on what they have announced, it is indeed a period of rest and recovery for their forces (the Israeli army) present on the ground for the past 4 months."
The American official did, however, clarify that there is no guarantee that the Israeli retreat is a sign of "a new and imminent operation for these forces."
Separately, sources close to the newspaper Haaretz claimed that the evacuation from Khan Yunus would make it easier for Palestinians who have been uprooted from their houses in Rafah due to Israeli attacks throughout the last six months to return.
The army, however, dismissed reports that connected the pullout to a request made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in response to purported US pressure, stating that the main reason for the departure was the conclusion of intelligence and operational operations in Khan Yunus.
