Israel Cuts Force Size in Gaza as It Enters Next Phase of Hamas War
- US pressure and a need to boost the economy spur decision
- Deployment changes precede visit by US Secretary of State
Israeli troops roll back from the Gaza Strip on Dec. 31.
Photographer: Menahem Kahana/AFP/Getty ImagesThis article is for subscribers only.
Israel is pulling five brigades out of Gaza in coming days, shifting the nature of its war to more targeted operations following US pressure and the need to return reserve soldiers to the economy after nearly three months of combat.
The military said it would begin withdrawing several thousand troops — two brigades will return home this week and three others will come out for scheduled training — but its top officers said the war against Hamas will continue for many months.