Israel signals change in tactics as it withdraws some troops from Gaza

Smoke rises following an Israeli bombardment in the Gaza Strip (Leo Correa/AP)

The Israeli military confirmed that it was pulling thousands of troops out of the Gaza Strip, a step that could clear the way for a new long-term phase of lower-intensity fighting against the Hamas militant group.

The confirmation of the planned troop drawdown came the same day that Israel’s Supreme Court struck down a key component of prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s judicial overhaul plan.