Israel pulls troops out of southern Gaza as Netanyahu says nearing victory Israel on Sunday pulled troops out of southern Gaza, including from the city of Khan Younis, the military said, after months of fierce fighting with Hamas militants left the area devastated. Despite the withdrawal of the military’s 98th division comprised of some 10,000 men, Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said Israel is "one step away from victory" in the Gaza war. FRANCE 24's Rob Parsons reports from Jerusalem.