Israel Pulls Troops From Khan Younis
Israel Pulls Troops From Khan Younis
The Facts
The Israel Defense Force (IDF) announced Sunday that its 98th Division troops will be withdrawing from the city of Khan Younis in southern Gaza. The 162nd Division will remain in the strip "to preserve the IDF's freedom of action."
The Israel Defense Force (IDF) announced Sunday that its 98th Division had concluded its mission and was withdrawing from the city of Khan Younis in southern Gaza after months of intense fighting.
The Spin
Israel's withdrawal decision shows it has achieved many of its goals and will now focus on potential Hamas enclaves in other parts of the Strip. Although the IDF may need to enter Rafah, Palestinians are now free to move throughout southern Gaza and Khan Younis.
This withdrawal is nothing to celebrate for the Palestinians from southern Gaza. Besides dozens of thousands left dead, those alive have no place to return nor the ability to retrieve the bodies of their slain neighbors as a result of Israel's abhorrent bombing campaign.
