The Israeli army announced that the 162nd Division began a surprise military operation in the center of the Gaza Strip, and that this operation was being carried out under precise intelligence guidance, according to it.

The Israeli army said that its air force raided what it described as "terrorist" targets above and below the ground in the central Gaza Strip.

He added that his forces found rocket launching pads during the operation they began in the center of the Strip.

Israeli Army Radio said that the Israeli forces began a military operation in the vicinity of the Nuseirat camp in the central Gaza Strip.

The Israeli army announced a few days ago the withdrawal of all ground forces from the Gaza Strip, including the 98th Division with its three brigades from the Khan Yunis area after 4 months of fighting, leaving only the Nahal Brigade operating in the Netzarim Corridor to separate the north from the center and south in Gaza.

Israeli media said at the time that the withdrawal of the 98th Division from Khan Yunis came within the framework of preparations for an operation in Rafah.

Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper also reported, citing sources in the Israeli army, that one of the reasons for the withdrawal is to leave places for the displaced who will be asked to leave Rafah, stressing at the same time that there is no connection between the American pressures exerted on Israel and the withdrawal from Khan Yunis.

The sources added - according to the newspaper - that the Israeli army is preparing to continue operations against the "Hamas brigades" that they did not deal with in Deir al-Balah and Rafah, and that the army can return to Khan Yunis if necessary.