Gaza Troop Drawdown Indicates Shift To Next Phase Of War

On 1 Jan, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) announced that a drawdown of reservist troops from frontline operations in Gaza would get underway this week. The IDF has given no confirmation that the move will limit its activities in fighting Hamas, and the conflict is likely to continue over the coming weeks and indeed months. However, the withdrawal of what is likely to amount to thousands of military reservists will undoubtedly have an impact on the IDF's on-the-ground capabilities.

• NYT: "“The withdrawal is a clear signal that the fight is entering a new phase, in line with what the U.S. has been asking for,” said Lt. Gen. Mark C. Schwartz, a retired U.S. Special Operations commander who formerly served as the American security coordinator for Israel and the Palestinian Authority. “We will see more precision strikes and precision operations against Hamas leadership and Hamas militants going forward.”"
• The US, Israel's closest ally, has placed increasing pressure on Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu to seek to limit civilian casualties in Gaza by utilising special forces in targeting Hamas leaders rather than carrying out aerial bombardments and full ground assaults on positions within Gaza. US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken is expected to visit Israel in the coming days for the first in-person talks of 2024 with gov't officials.