An Israeli military armored vehicle moves along the border between Israel and Gaza (AFP)

Recent hours have witnessed rapid field developments in the Gaza Strip, with Israeli army units beginning to withdraw from several areas amid indications of the start of implementing steps related to US President Donald Trump’s plan to end the war.

The “Walla” website reported, citing military sources, that the Israeli army withdrew combat units from the Golani Brigade and other forces, and began reducing the number of troops participating in military operations inside the Strip.

A military source indicated that the withdrawal process is “complex and sensitive,” emphasizing that the army does not want to risk the safety of its soldiers during the operation.

Limited Deployment and Control Points

According to Hebrew media, Israeli forces will deploy at specific control points that allow protecting soldiers and securing the withdrawal, while they have started withdrawing from Gaza City and the Beach Camp towards the field-agreed line.

“Israel Hayom” quoted an informed source suggesting that Trump’s visit to Israel might be postponed until Monday.

Warnings in Gaza and Continued Bombardment

The Civil Defense in Gaza called on residents not to return to areas from which the Israeli army has withdrawn until the withdrawal is officially announced.

Despite withdrawal signs, Israeli airstrikes and artillery shelling continued in various parts of the Strip:

“Walla” quoted a military source saying that Israeli forces opened fire this morning after spotting suspicious movement near their positions, “to prevent any attempt to target soldiers during the withdrawal.”

The Israeli government announced that it approved early Friday the first phase of the US President’s peace plan in Gaza, which specifically calls for Hamas to release all hostages held in the Strip, alive or dead, the release of Palestinian detainees and prisoners by Israel, a ceasefire, and the entry of aid to the devastated Strip.

The approval of the agreement marks a key step towards ending the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas for two years in the besieged and devastated Palestinian Strip, which has caused tens of thousands of deaths and a humanitarian disaster.

The announcement came after four days of indirect negotiations away from the spotlight in the Egyptian city of Sharm El-Sheikh, involving American, Egyptian, Turkish, and Qatari mediators.