• The Israeli military has completed its withdrawal from the Netzarim Corridor in Gaza.
• This move is part of the ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel.
• Hamas claims the withdrawal signifies their victory and increased public presence.
• The corridor had previously limited movement within Gaza, impacting thousands of displaced residents.
• Negotiations for future prisoner exchanges are ongoing amid the ceasefire.

CAIRO/JERUSALEM, Feb 9 (Reuters) - The Israeli military has finalized its withdrawal from the Netzarim Corridor in Gaza, a significant move under the ceasefire agreement reached between Israel and Hamas. This corridor, a strategically vital area bisecting the Gaza Strip, was previously controlled by Israeli forces, but its pullback is seen as necessary for ongoing peace negotiations. A source within the Israeli military confirmed that troops had dismantled their positions, effectively allowing vehicles to move freely in both directions along the corridor, which stretches approximately 4 miles from the Israeli border to the Mediterranean Sea. According to Reuters, Hamas celebrated this withdrawal as a victory, proclaiming that it indicates a failure of Israeli objectives in the long-standing conflict.

This withdrawal follows Hamas’s recent release of three Israeli hostages in a prisoner exchange, further complicating the already tense negotiations regarding captive releases. The Israeli government is reportedly engaging in talks in Qatar to facilitate additional swaps as part of the ceasefire conditions established last month. The Al Jazeera report highlights that thousands of displaced Palestinians affected by the military operations have begun to return to their homes in northern Gaza, albeit amid significant destruction. Many have expressed shock upon witnessing the damage to their neighborhoods.

Various analyses suggest that the Netzarim Corridor's reopening represents a shift in military and political dynamics within the region. Acknowledging the historical heavy toll on civilian lives, estimates indicate over 46,000 Palestinian fatalities attributed to Israeli military actions since the commencement of the conflict in October 2023, as reported by Palestinian health officials. The corridor had previously functioned as a military restriction zone, effectively isolating Gaza's northern communities from the southern regions, exacerbating humanitarian crises.

Hamas has increased its presence and visibility in the corridor since the ceasefire began, aiming to send a message that it remains steadfast in its objectives. According to The New York Times, Israeli officials have indicated that their withdrawal from the corridor was a calculated decision to adhere to the ceasefire, permitting greater movement for the thousands of residents eager to return. The military stated that they were "implementing the agreement," emphasizing their focus on peace efforts in the region.