Israel has lifted the “special situation” status in its southern region for the first time since October 2023.
Defence Minister Israel Katz announced this in a statement, saying he had accepted the military’s recommendation to end the measure.
A “special situation” on the home front is declared in Israel when there is a high likelihood of attacks on civilians.
Katz said; “the decision reflects the new security reality in the south.
“Alongside the return of all hostages, we remain fully committed to achieving all defined war objectives — first and foremost, the dismantling of Hamas’s weapons and the demilitarisation of Gaza.”
The special measure had been in effect in areas bordering Gaza since Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing about 1,200 people and taking around 250 hostages.
According to data released by Gaza health authorities on Monday, Israel’s subsequent offensive has left 68,527 people dead and 170,395 wounded in Gaza.
Meanwhile, 93 people have been killed and 337 injured in the enclave since the new ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took effect on October 10.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated that Israel would not seek permission to carry out strikes in Gaza or elsewhere, even under ceasefire arrangements.
“Israel is an independent state. We will defend ourselves with our own forces and continue to control our destiny,” Netanyahu said
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