Israel withdraws troops from Gaza, Egypt to host new talks

Israel said on Sunday it had withdrawn more soldiers from southern Gaza, leaving just one brigade. However, its Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said the troops will be preparing for future operations in Gaza.

Following the Israeli armies' withdrawal, the Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, warned that they would target the Israeli army if it re-enters the Gaza Strip.

"You may be able to enter the streets of Gaza, but you will burn in its alleys every time with the determination of our strong fighters," said the Al-Qassam Brigades.

Meanwhile, both Israel and Hamas have confirmed that they were sending delegations to Egypt for fresh talks on a potential ceasefire in the six-month conflict.

Around 130 hostages are still being held in Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there would be no deal without a hostage release and that he would not cave to international pressure. Hamas says an agreement must include the freedom of movement of residents across the Gaza Strip.

Israel has pledged to fully topple Hamas after any truce. Gallant said on Sunday that Israel will press on with its military attacks until Hamas no longer controls Gaza or threatens Israel as a military group.

More than 250 hostages were seized and some 1,200 people killed during Hamas' October 7 attack, according to Israel. More than 33,100 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli offensive, according to the health ministry in Gaza.

Israel says an incursion into the Rafah area, near the border with Egypt, is needed to eliminate Hamas but anxious foreign powers have said it could exact an unacceptable toll on civilians, with more than a million people sheltering there. Israel says it will evacuate civilians before launching an incursion.

Israel is under increased pressure from international society. The United Nations Human Rights Council adopted a resolution on Friday urging Israel to be held responsible for potential war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza Strip. The resolution also urges all nations to cease supplying weapons to Israel. Out of the 47 member nations in the UN Human Rights Council, 28 countries voted in favor, 13 abstained and 6 opposed the resolution.

The U.S., a key Israeli ally, also demanded Israel to improve humanitarian conditions in Gaza and work towards a ceasefire. U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director William Burns met with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi on Sunday in Cairo, addressing joint mediation efforts to reach a ceasefire. It's reported that U.S. President Joe Biden has urged the leaders of Egypt and Qatar to pressure Hamas to agree to a ceasefire and hostage deal ahead of a fresh round of talks in Cairo.

Israel is also on alert for a possible retaliatory attack from Iran in reaction to the killing of Iranian generals on April 1.

(Input from agencies)