The news is breaking everywhere this morning that Israel has pulled out of Gaza and Hamas is even now declaring victory:
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced Sunday that it had withdrawn its forces from southern Gaza, following a demand from U.S. President Joe Biden last week for an “immediate ceasefire.” Hamas declared victory on the news.
The decision, coming on the day Israelis marked six months since the October 7 attack, came as a surprise, and as Israeli negotiators flew to Cairo for hostage negotiations. Hamas has demanded a ceasefire before any new deal.
The IDF will leave one brigade in Gaza, whose role will be to allow Israeli troops access to return as necessary. It will also carry out targeted operations, such as the successful raid at Shifa Hospital last month.
But Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant says that Rafah is coming soon…
🔴 IDF forces leave Khan Yunis to prepare for mission in Rafah, Gallant says
— i24NEWS English (@i24NEWS_EN) April 7, 2024
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant says Israeli troops were withdrawn from the Khan Younis area of southern Gaza to prepare for the expected offensive in Rafah.
“The forces came out [of Gaza] and are preparing for their future missions, we saw examples of such missions in action at Shifa [Hospital], and also for their future mission in the Rafah area,” Gallant says following an assessment at the IDF Southern Command.
“We will reach a situation where Hamas does not control the Gaza Strip and where it does not function as a military framework that poses a risk to the citizens of the State of Israel,” he adds.
I don’t mind the rest but it shouldn’t be for long. Israel must take Rafah and completely exterminate Hamas. Forget Biden and his election hopes. This must be done for Israel’s security.