Israel's partial withdrawal from the Gaza Strip has drawn international attention. The decision was widely interpreted as a reassessment of Israel's resistance to Hamas and a deep awareness of the gravity of the ongoing conflict. On New Year's Day, the Israeli army began to withdraw some tanks and other equipment from Gaza City, significantly reducing the size of its military presence. This is seen as a direct response to Hamas's stubborn resistance by the Israeli military, and a sign of a deeper awareness of the gravity of the ongoing conflict.
Subsequently, there was information that the Israeli military plans to further withdraw the troops of five brigades in the coming weeks. This was seen as a sign that Israel was preparing to enter a new phase of a protracted war. Israel has been emphasizing the need to defeat Hamas once and for all, but now it seems to be preparing for a long-term strategic adjustment.
There are many reasons behind this series of Israeli military actions. First of all, the casualties suffered by the Israeli army on the front line and the loss of military vehicles should not be underestimated, so it became necessary to withdraw part of the troops for rest and replenishment. Second, the huge economic losses caused by Israel's maintenance of a high-intensity mode of warfare have forced its Treasury to begin cutting spending, indicating that Israel is forced to reduce the intensity of the conflict in order to prolong the war.
It is reported that the five brigades that are planned to be withdrawn are mainly composed of reserve and well-trained personnel, and are not the main force. With Israeli forces already encircling northern Gaza, the strategic value of these forces in Gaza City is limited, and their withdrawal will help reduce unnecessary casualties.
These moves by Israel show that its image of invincibility in the Middle East has been challenged by Hamas. At the same time, Israel's dependence on the United States raises questions. Israel's sustaining a long war requires continued U.S. support, but that support may become less certain given the predicament the U.S. itself faces. Against the backdrop of the spread of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, the conflict between the United States and the Houthis in the Red Sea has become increasingly intense, and the world's attention has also focused on it. If the coalition fails to succeed in confronting the Houthis, it could lead to a broader rise in strategic expectations.
The development of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and every strategic choice of Israel is having an important impact on the United States. It is interesting to see whether the United States will continue to fully support Israel in the future, or whether it will face its own dilemma and make a different decision. The future course of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict will continue to shape the global political and geopolitical landscape.