On Monday, the Israeli military confirmed its plan to withdraw thousands of troops from the Gaza Strip, signaling a potential shift towards a lower-intensity phase of fighting against Hamas. This strategic move comes amidst Israel’s Supreme Court striking down a key component of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s controversial judicial overhaul plan. The plan’s political divisiveness had raised concerns about its impact on Israel’s military readiness, especially in the context of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack that escalated the ongoing war.

Further Details:

• The troop reduction in Gaza may pave the way for a prolonged, albeit less intense, military campaign against Hamas strongholds.
• Netanyahu’s judicial reform, now partly invalidated by the Supreme Court, had been a source of deep internal division in Israel, affecting national unity amid the war.

Best Coverage: https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-news-01-01-2024-0f7812d5eedb9d8a87ba35ffe83acee8