As Israel reportedly pulls forces out of southern Gaza, six months after the October 7th attacks, it may be on the “right track” for peace. 

That’s according to Sky News Middle East Correspondent Alistair Bunkall as the Israeli military has withdrawn all ground troops from southern Gaza except for one brigade. 

While the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) did not immediately provide further details, Mr Bunkall said he had been in contact with a person who recently left a senior position in the military. 

“They can speak a bit more freely,” he told The Anton Savage Show. 

“They came back and said, ‘We've been waging war, it's now time to wage the peace’. 

“My guess would be, and at the moment we're trying to piece together what is going on, but it could be linked to the hostage negotiations that are ongoing in Cairo.” 

Egypt is currently preparing to host a new round of talks aimed at reaching a ceasefire and hostage release deal. 

'This could be a compromise'

Mr Bunkall said the removal of soldiers lowers the chance of the military entering Rafah in southern Gaza. 

“Hamas, let’s remember, has demanded that all Israeli forces withdraw from Gaza,” he said. 

“Israeli said no way, that's not going to happen - but this could be a compromise.” 

He did point out that in previous instances when it appeared a deal could be made, “something happens to take it back to square one”. 

“But I would say that this time round, it just feels like there is now a bit more of an impetus on the Israeli side,” he said. 

“There is a lot of domestic pressure on Benjamin Netanyahu and his government, there is a lot of international pressure on Netanyahu to make a deal. 

“Maybe, finally, six months in, this will be the moment.” 

Tens of thousands attended protests in Tel Aviv yesterday demanding an immediate deal to release all hostages in Gaza while also calling for a general election.

Negotiations between Hamas and Israel

Mr Bunkall also pointed out this decision does not mean the conflict will be resolved quickly. 

“Even if there was an agreement between Hamas and the Israelis today, they still need to go through the layers of approval amongst the Israeli government,” he said. 

“But it feels to me that this time there are just a few things slotting into place that might suggest we're on the right track.” 

Over 30,000 people have been killed in Gaza since the Hamas attacks in Israel on October 7th. 

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Main image: Tens of thousands of Israelis demonstrated with families of hostages in Gaza against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv, demanding an immediate hostage deal and general elections, 06/04/2024. Image: Sipa USA / Alamy Stock Photo