Israeli army withdraws equipment, redeploys to new positions in Gaza

Israeli forces began withdrawing today, Friday, to the agreed-upon lines. The army has completed dismantling its military positions in the Gaza Strip.

The withdrawal is expected to be completed at 12:00 p.m., so that, as of midnight tonight, the 72-hour period available to Hamas under the agreement to return the hostages will begin to be counted. At 12:00, the ceasefire is expected to enter into force officially, bringing the war to an end.

Industrial generators, antennas, soldiers’ quarters, observation posts, combat positions and other installations have been dismantled. Hundreds of trucks, bulldozers and various engineering vehicles are taking part in the logistical operation.

Israeli forces are positioned in new locations within the dense buffer zone near the border until midday today. According to testimonies from officers in the Southern Command, at least two of the new positions being established near the border lie further east than the yellow line on the maps released by the political leadership.