Israel continues its offensive in Gaza, but signals a new phase with the planned reduction of troops present in the region.

The aim is to transition to a more localized 'mopping up' operation that will last several months.

This shift in tactics is seen as a response to pressure from the US, Israel's ally, to reduce Palestinian civilian casualties.

As part of this new strategy, the Israeli military will prepare some of the withdrawn forces for a potential confrontation with Hezbollah, an Iran-backed faction, in Lebanon.

This move indicates Israel's intention to manage multiple fronts in the region.

While the war in Gaza has caused immense devastation, with thousands of deaths and a humanitarian crisis, the Israeli government claims that the conflict will continue for many more months.

However, the decision to withdraw troops signals a gradual transition to lower-intensity operations.

In response to international calls for a ceasefire, the US has been urging Israel to reduce the intensity of its military operation.

The shift in tactics and troop reduction is seen as a step towards answering these calls.

The US Navy has also announced the return of the Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier to its home port, further indicating a potential de-escalation of the conflict.

Despite these developments, residents in southern Gaza report an increase in Israeli airstrikes and tank bombardments, particularly in the Khan Younis area.

The dire situation on the ground is described by a young girl in Gaza who expresses her hope to survive and highlights the lack of basic necessities such as food and water.

As the troop reduction takes place, it remains clear that the objective of toppling the Islamist faction in Gaza is still a priority for Israel.

The country's military spokesperson confirmed the release of two reservist brigades this week, reinforcing the strategic shift towards a more localized approach and potential future confrontations with Hezbollah.