The Israeli Broadcasting Corporation reported on Friday evening that the military is gearing up to enter the "third phase" of the war on the Gaza Strip in the coming weeks, which will include ending ground maneuvers.
According to unnamed sources cited by the Corporation, the "Israeli military is preparing to transition to the third phase of combat in Gaza within the upcoming weeks, based on operational achievements."
These sources noted that "the third phase encompasses completing the ground maneuver in the sector, reducing the forces, releasing the reserve soldiers, resorting to aerial raids, and establishing a buffer zone on the borders between Israel and the Gaza Strip."
Channel 11 of Israel mentioned that the third phase will also involve "reducing troop numbers and forming a buffer zone while continuing focused attacks" in Gaza, indicating that the army is preparing to soon discharge thousands of reservists.
The Israeli Broadcasting Corporation claimed that the military "has taken control of most of the northern area of the Gaza Strip, while facing significant difficulties advancing in the southern region of the sector."
Significant Shift
Meanwhile, the Israeli newspaper Haaretz stated that the military is already amid deployment for the "third phase," contrary to what decision-makers are announcing, confirming that various command centers are preparing for a "significant change" in January.
The newspaper added that these changes are associated with the redeployment of hundreds of thousands of reservists due to the burden on the economy and the soldiers and their families.
It pointed out that the timeline is flexible to accommodate the political considerations of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, noting that the situation on the ground in Gaza "is not progressing at the pace we hear in the political rhetoric."
Golani Brigade Withdrawal
Israeli media reported on Thursday that the occupation army decided to withdraw the Golani Brigade from Gaza after 70 days of fighting in which it sustained "significant losses." Other Israeli sources mentioned that the brigade's soldiers left Gaza "to reorganize their ranks, catch their breath, and visit their families for a few days."
Following the decision to pull the Golani Brigade out of Gaza, the paratroopers and armored forces were also extracted from the sector.
The Israeli military statistics indicate that 784 officers and soldiers have been injured since the ground incursion in the sector began on October 27 last year, while Israeli media estimated the number of wounded in the military to be around 5,000.
