Israel Reduces Its Presence in Gaza... Eyes on the Northern Front.
By Brigadier General Walid Shaya
The Israeli army has begun reducing its forces in the Gaza Strip to less than half, in a move that reflects a strategic shift in Tel Aviv's military priorities. This step comes amid the ongoing war with Iran and growing Israeli concerns over the possible expansion of the conflict to the northern front with Hezbollah and Iran-backed groups in Syria and Iraq.
This decision does not signal the end of operations in Gaza but rather represents a calculated redeployment to ease pressure on Israeli forces in the Strip and to redirect some of these troops to bolster security along the northern border with Lebanon and the eastern borders with Jordan and Syria. The Israeli military now perceives Iran as the primary theater of war, while Gaza has become a front that can be controlled through airpower and intelligence, without the need for a heavy ground presence.
Reports indicate that Iran, which is still trying to absorb the shock of the unexpected Israeli strike, has called on its allied militias across the region to prepare to support it on the ground. The Israeli army is closely monitoring these movements and is preparing for any infiltration attempts or surprise attacks along its northern or eastern borders.
The coming phase carries open-ended possibilities: limited escalation in Gaza while maintaining a military focus on the north, raising alert levels in anticipation of potential Hezbollah actions, and intensifying security coordination with Jordan and Syria. Tel Aviv is now racing against time to stabilize the situation and avoid a multi-front war that could be the most dangerous it has faced in years.