Israel hands mediators in Doha new maps depicting partial IDF withdrawal after US pressure — sources

WASHINGTON — Israel has submitted a new set of maps to mediators in Doha depicting the partial withdrawal of IDF troops during the 60-day truce under discussion following pressure from the US to limit Israeli presence in the Strip, an Arab diplomat and a source familiar with the matter tells The Times of Israel.

The previous partial withdrawal from Gaza had been rejected by Hamas, and the issue has become the main sticking point in the negotiations, the sources say.

Israel has insisted that it remain in the Morag Corridor in southern Gaza, near where it says it plans to create a “humanitarian city” into which the Strip’s entire population will be herded and prevented from leaving once vetted.

The sources didn’t say whether Israel has now dropped the demand.