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BaraPost.co.id - Israel is currently preparing to conclude its military operation in the Gaza Strip in the coming weeks, part of the third phase of the ongoing conflict, according to the official Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation report on Friday, December 23, 2023.
Referring to unidentified sources, the media outlet conveyed that "the Israeli army is gearing up to enter the third phase of the battle in the next few weeks, in line with the progress of the operation."
This third phase involves halting ground operations in the Gaza Strip, reducing ground forces, withdrawing reserve troops, shifting to air strikes, and establishing a buffer zone along the border between Israel and the Gaza Strip, according to information from these sources.
Although the report states that Israeli forces have successfully controlled most of the northern Gaza region, significant challenges still persist in the southern area.
Israeli military data notes that at least 472 Israeli soldiers have lost their lives since the commencement of ground operations in the Gaza Strip on October 27.
On Thursday, Walla News and Israel's Channel 12 reported that the Golani Brigade, one of Israel's forces in Gaza, suffered losses of up to 44 soldiers during the 70 days of battle. This unit is scheduled to leave Gaza for internal restructuring and family visits in the coming days.
Since the start of Israel's offensive on October 7, 2023, over 20,000 Palestinian residents, mostly women and children, have lost their lives, with 53,320 others injured, according to local health authorities.
The attacks have also caused severe damage in Gaza, with half of the residential areas destroyed, nearly 2 million people displaced in that densely populated area, amid food and water shortages.
World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized on Saturday that the population in Gaza is currently experiencing famine.
