Israeli army pulls back from Gaza’s north after weeks of heavy clashes

The Israeli army withdrew from the northern Gaza Strip on 31 May, with scores of Palestinians returning to find their homes and neighborhoods destroyed.

“The occupation forces withdrew from the Jabalia camp, Tal al-Zaatar, the Beit Lahia project, Beit Hanoun, and all areas of the northern Gaza Strip after an operation that lasted 20 days,” Al Jazeera’s correspondent reported on Friday.

Israel’s Broadcasting Authority also confirmed the withdrawals.

Eyewitnesses told Anadolu Agency (AA) that the withdrawals are “limited,” as some forces remain on the northern and eastern edges of Jabalia camp and that artillery bombardment could still be heard.

The army announced on Friday that it completed its military operation in the northern city of Jabalia, where intense battles with the resistance have been raging over the past weeks.

It claimed that hundreds of resistance fighters were killed throughout the operation and that 10 kilometers of tunnels were destroyed. It also said that the bodies of seven prisoners were retrieved and that loads of weaponry were confiscated.

Tel Aviv also announced on Friday the killing of two of its soldiers during battles in Gaza, one in Jabalia and one in Rafah. Another was seriously wounded in Rafah, according to the army.