What happened
The Israeli military announced it was pulling back one of its main ground units from Khan Younis in southern Gaza, as protesters across Israel marked six months to the day since a surprise attack by Hamas militants prompted a full-scale Israeli invasion of the Palestinian territory.
Who said what
The Israel Defense Forces said Sunday it was making a "tactical" withdrawal after concluding its mission in the city of Khan Younis, pulling out its 98th Commando Division "to recuperate and prepare for future operations." Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said the move was tied to preparations "for the operation in Rafah," where more than one million Palestinians displaced by the war now reside.
The commentary
It's "hard to know exactly what" Israel's pullback means, White House National Security Council Communications advisor John Kirby said. It does appear "tactical rather than a sign the war may be moving closer to its end," said the BBC. While Israeli officials have denied international pressure prompted the move, the "timing was unmistakable," after an Israeli strike killed seven World Central Kitchen food aid workers, The Jerusalem Post said.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
What next?
Negotiations between Hamas and Israel continue this week in Cairo, with the United States readying a new proposal that will "demand a significant compromise" from both sides, Haaretz said.
-
Trump reignites Jan. 6 furor by awarding military honors to killed rioterIN THE SPOTLIGHT With military funeral honors for Ashli Babbitt, the president makes good on campaign promises designed to animate his political base while relitigating history
-
'Is it OK to be happy when the world is falling apart?'Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Will online age checks doom internet freedom?Today's Big Question Or do they protect children from harm?
-
Trump crypto token launch earns family billionsSpeed Read The World Liberty Financial token is now the Trump family's 'most valuable asset'
-
RFK Jr. names new CDC head as staff revoltSpeed Read Kennedy installed his deputy, Jim O'Neill, as acting CDC director
-
DC prosecutors lose bid to indict sandwich throwerSpeed Read Prosecutors sought to charge Sean Dunn with assaulting a federal officer
-
White House fires new CDC head amid agency exodusSpeed Read CDC Director Susan Monarez was ousted after butting heads with HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over vaccines
-
DOGE put Social Security data at risk, official saysSpeed Read DOGE workers made the personal information of hundreds of millions of Americans vulnerable to identity theft
-
Court rejects Trump suit against Maryland US judgesSpeed Read Judge Thomas Cullen, a Trump appointee, said the executive branch had no authority to sue the judges
-
Trump expands National Guard role in policingSpeed Read The president wants the Guard to take on a larger role in domestic law enforcement
-
Trump says he's firing Federal Reserve Governor Lisa CookSpeed Read The move is likely part of Trump's push to get the central bank to cut interest rates
