GAZA CITY – The Israeli Army began to pull back troops in the Gaza Strip to agreed-upon deployment lines as part of the deal with Hamas to secure the release of all the hostages, The Times of Israel reported Friday.
Some forces were completely withdrawn from Gaza, while others will remain at positions along the deployment lines.
The withdrawal took place under the cover of artillery shelling and airstrikes in some areas.
The Israeli army is expected to complete the pullback by tonight, within 24 hours of the Israeli government officially ratifying the agreement with Hamas.
Once complete, the Israeli arm will remain in control of just over half of the Strip’s territory, or 53 percent, most of which is outside urban areas.
