Today, multiple residents of the Gaza Strip were seen wandering just a short distance from the border fence near Kibbutz Nir Oz, situated in the Gaza Strip enclave. The residents were observed moving approximately 300 meters from the fence after the IDF pulled back from the Netzarim corridor as part of the agreement with Hamas in the hostage deal.
Reports from Gaza mentioned that the IDF fired warning shots at the residents, but no injuries were reported. Despite this, additional Gaza residents were spotted approaching the area.
I24News military correspondent Yossi Yehoshua cited soldiers stationed along the perimeter inside Gaza, who expressed concern: “Gazans are approaching us in violation of the agreement and are testing whether shots are fired from a distance of 800 meters to a kilometer. They are also approaching with vehicles. We are limited in our rules of engagement and equipment.”
The IDF issued a statement about the incident, saying: “This is a very unusual incident which stemmed from the withdrawal from the Netzarim Corridor. Shots were fired to distance the suspects, and several were killed as a result. The others fled the perimeter, and if they had approached again, shots would have been fired to hit them. That is the instruction to the forces. Every day, there are incidents where shots are fired at anyone who just approaches the perimeter.”
IDF forces had withdrawn from the Netzarim Corridor overnight. As part of the current phase of the hostage deal, Israel had committed to withdrawing from the remaining outposts in the Netzarim Corridor last night.
A soldier giving the order was filmed saying over the radio: “All units, we are now entering our final withdrawal from the Netzarim Corridor. We will yet return here, recover every hostage, and with Trump’s plan, rebuild the Israeli towns of the Gaza Strip.”
It has been 18 months since Division 36 launched the ground offensive into the Netzarim Corridor. As of today, no Israeli forces remain in the Netzarim Corridor or northern Gaza, though the IDF still controls the Gaza border and the Philadelphi Corridor.