Israel Reduces Ground Forces and Airstrikes in Gaza Strip

Israel Formalizes Shift to Low-Intensity Conflict
Large-scale Airstrikes Shift to Targeted Attacks on Hamas Leaders

Israel has formalized its shift to a lower-intensity ground conflict in the Gaza Strip moving from large-scale ground and air assaults to more targeted attacks.

On the 8th (local time), Daniel Hagaray the senior spokesman for the Israeli military revealed this in an interview with The New York Times (NYT).

Hagaray stated, “The theater of war has changed,” and explained, “The new phase of operations includes fewer troops and airstrikes.” He added, “We will continue to reduce our forces in the Gaza Strip, which started this month,” and “The intensity of operations in the northern Gaza Strip has already begun to decrease.”

However, he added, “We will not make a dramatic announcement about this,” and “The transition (to low-intensity) will take place without any ceremony.”

Afterward, Hagaray also announced through X that they would focus on targeted attacks centered on Hamas leaders. He explained, “Israel will continue its operations against Hamas leaders,” and “We have also targeted Hezbollah bases across southern Lebanon including Hamas military bases.”

He further emphasized, “As we have been saying since the beginning of the war, we will not tolerate threats in the northern border area. This is sincere.”

The shift to low intensity is due to pressure from the West. According to the NYT, last month, U.S. President Joe Biden told his aides, “I hope Israel will shift around January 1,” and afterward, White House officials reportedly put pressure on the Israeli government. Analeena Baerbock, the German Foreign Minister who visited Israel the day before, also urged a shift to low intensity and the protection of civilians.

By. Dae Young Ko