In a significant development within the ongoing ceasefire agreement, Israel has fully withdrawn its forces from the strategic Netzarim Corridor in Gaza, a six-kilometer road that had effectively split the enclave in two. The move, which took place on Sunday, marks a major shift in the battlefield dynamics as hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians attempt to return to their war-ravaged homes in northern Gaza.
The Netzarim Corridor, stretching from the Israel-Gaza border to the Mediterranean Sea, had been under Israeli military control since the early days of the war, serving as a critical choke point in Israel’s strategy to dismantle Hamas’ infrastructure. However, as part of the terms negotiated in the ceasefire deal, Israeli forces have now vacated the corridor, allowing a steady stream of Palestinian civilians to make the arduous journey back north.
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— Voice From The East (@EasternVoices) February 9, 2025
BLOOD BOILER:
Right now, few hours after the IDF completed its exit from the Netzarim corridor, Gazans are walking around the border fence with Israel only 300m from Kibbutz Nahal-Oz, where the October 7th massacre took place.
As if nothing happened…Unbelievable pic.twitter.com/CpW1zfC1jx
Palestinians Navigate Ruins and Checkpoints
Video footage from the area shows a surreal scene of civilians crossing the corridor by foot, in cars, and even by donkey, navigating the destruction left in the wake of months of intense combat. The passage remains a perilous one, with individuals forced to pass through stringent checkpoint inspections, monitored by Egyptian and Qatari officials who continue to mediate between the warring factions.
“I was displaced a long time ago. I have seen people arriving on this road, sometimes even sleeping on it while waiting for the Israeli army to withdraw,” said Osama Saleem to CNN which shared some of the videos, he added, “I hope the Israeli army withdraws from all of Gaza and that life returns to normal. Saleem is a Palestinian resident who was waiting for his vehicle to be inspected by international contractors who have taken over security roles in the area as part of the agreement.
The IDF evacuated the Netzarim corridor last night, and Palestinians in Gaza have already begun returning through it.
— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) February 9, 2025
Do you think this IDF withdrawal is temporary? pic.twitter.com/Pjl4GP0CGK
Hamas Declares ‘Victory’ as Israel Remains Silent
Hamas, which has long used civilian infrastructure for its military operations, seized upon the withdrawal as a propaganda victory. “The withdrawal of the Zionist occupation army from the Netzarim axis is a victory for the will of our people,” the terror organization proclaimed in a statement Sunday.
Israel, however, has made no formal comment on the withdrawal, though reports from CNN correspondents on the ground confirm the absence of IDF forces at the corridor. While Hamas attempts to frame this as a triumph, Israeli officials continue to focus on broader strategic objectives, including the security of its borders and the ongoing efforts to secure the release of hostages.
The order to withdraw from the Netzarim Corridor - 16 months after the IDF took it over.
— Raylan Givens (@JewishWarrior13) February 8, 2025
We make this painful move to bring our people home, but the sacrifice of our boys was not in vain. We will be back. pic.twitter.com/COwTfIHe74
Hostage Negotiations and Fragile Ceasefire
The withdrawal is part of Israel’s commitments under the ceasefire and hostage release agreement, which saw three additional hostages freed on Saturday—Ohad Ben Ami, Eli Sharabi, and Or Levy. These captives, taken during Hamas’ brutal October 7 attack, were released in exchange for 183 Palestinian prisoners. The frail and emaciated appearances of the freed hostages have sparked outrage in Israel, intensifying calls for the full dismantlement of Hamas.
Negotiations for subsequent phases of the agreement remain fraught with uncertainty. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remains highly skeptical of phase two, which would require a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. His finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, has issued a stark warning, pledging to resign if the ceasefire continues in a manner that he perceives as endangering Israel’s security.
An Israeli official confirmed that Netanyahu has dispatched a mid-level delegation to Doha to discuss the technical details of the agreement. However, whether these talks will lead to a more permanent resolution remains highly uncertain.
Gaza: Netzarim corridor following IDF withdrawal. pic.twitter.com/36Hrm5RPMg
— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) February 9, 2025
Escalation in Judea & Samaria
Even as the situation in Gaza shifts, Israel has announced an expansion of its military operations in Judea and Samaria, specifically the area of northern Samaria around Jenin, Nablus (Shechem) and Tulkarem which have seen rising violence amid the broader regional conflict. Palestinian health authorities claimed that Israeli forces shot and killed a pregnant woman on Sunday, a claim for which Israel has yet to issue a formal response. Meanwhile, IDF operations in the territory continue, with security officials citing the need to preempt planned terrorist attacks.
Uncertain Road Ahead
While the withdrawal from the Netzarim Corridor represents a notable development, the broader conflict remains far from resolved. Hamas continues to hold hostages, Israel remains wary of fully withdrawing from Gaza, and tensions are escalating in the West Bank. The next steps in the ceasefire agreement—and whether they will hold—are set to determine the future trajectory of this long-running and deeply complex conflict.
