Israel to withdraw some troops from Gaza but expects fighting will continue through 2024

Israel has announced plans to withdraw some troops from the Gaza Strip, although it expects that fighting will continue in the area through 2024. The withdrawal comes as part of an overall plan to reduce military presence in areas of Palestinian control, as agreed by Israel and the Palestinian Authority in a recent ceasefire agreement. Israeli forces had gone into the Gaza Strip in 2014 to target Hamas militants, and although violent clashes have continued since then, the region had become increasingly stable in recent years. Israel’s plan would mean a withdrawal of some troops and other military personnel from Gaza by the end of 2024. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement that the move is “part of the diplomatic process in order to reach a better arrangement with the Palestinians,” and that the withdrawal is designed to “allow us to have a more positive presence in the region”. However, it is expected that the withdrawal will be met with resistance by Hamas, which still controls much of the Gaza Strip. The group has been known to launch rocket attacks on Israel, most notably during a conflict in 2014 that left more than 2,000 people dead. It is also unclear whether the withdrawal will lead to a more lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians. While the ceasefire agreement has been welcomed by many, it has yet to be seen whether it will lead to a more permanent resolution to the conflict.