The Israeli army, on Wednesday, began withdrawing its Givati Brigade from Gaza after sustaining significant losses during ground offensives against Palestinian Resistance factions since 27 October, 2023, Anadolu Agency reports.
“The troops of the Givati Brigade Combat Team, under the command of the 162nd Division, are preparing for their next missions following weeks of combat in the Jabalia area in the northern Gaza Strip,” a military statement said.
The army confirmed that the Brigade lost 86 soldiers and commanders during military actions in the area.
The military released a video showing the Brigade’s forces and equipment retreating to Israel’s side of the border.
According to official figures, Israel has suffered 841 military casualties since the start of the Gaza offensive on 7 October, 2023, with 405 killed during the ground invasion.
These losses come amid harassment that the Israeli military is downplaying the true toll of its casualties in Gaza.
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This announcement coincides with the implementation of a ceasefire agreement in Gaza, brokered by Qatar, Egypt and the US. The agreement, which began Sunday, comprises three stages, with the first phase lasting 42 days during which negotiations for the second and third phases are expected to take place.
The Israeli onslaught has left nearly 47,700 killed and 111,166 injured, with 11,000 people missing, with widespread destruction and a humanitarian crisis that has claimed the lives of many elderly people and children in one of the worst global humanitarian disasters ever.
The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants in November for Netanyahu and his former Defence Minister, Yoav Gallant, for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.