Palestinians Return to Northern Gaza as Israel Weighs Security Risks
As thousands of displaced Palestinians return to northern Gaza following Israel’s military withdrawal, Israeli officials debate the long-term security implications. The withdrawal was part of a ceasefire agreement reached earlier this month between Israel and Hamas. However, Israel has vowed to resume military operations once the first stage of the deal is completed, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government remains committed to dismantling Hamas’s military infrastructure.
The ceasefire, which has allowed the return of civilians, is set to expire in early March, and negotiations to extend it face deep distrust between the two sides. Many in Israel worry that a repopulated northern Gaza could enable Hamas to rebuild its presence in the area. Some military officials argue that maintaining an unpopulated buffer zone along the border would be a more effective security measure.
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Experts warn that allowing Palestinian civilians to return could complicate Israel’s ability to conduct future military operations. “Any future evacuation will likely be for a much more limited time period and not see residents heading all the way to southern Gaza,” said Brig. Gen. (res.) Nitzan Nuriel.
To learn more about the military and political ramifications of this ceasefire, as well as expert perspectives on Israel’s security strategy, read Keren Setton’s full report in The Media Line.
