Israel-Gaza war live updates: Israel’s high court rejects judicial overhaul law; U.S. carrier group to exit region

The Israeli military is planning to withdraw from Gaza five brigades — which could include thousands of troops — while vowing “prolonged fighting” in the new year. Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, a spokesman for the Israel Defense Forces, said the return of reservists is expected to “significantly ease the burden on the economy.”

The Palestine Red Crescent Society said that it has established the first organized camp for displaced people in Khan Younis, which will initially host 300 families and eventually grow to 1,000 tents. The city’s population has ballooned as people flee the fighting in the north.

Israel is working to enable the return of Israelis displaced from communities in the country’s south after the Oct. 7 attack. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said a gradual return would start with communities within 4.3 miles of the Gaza Strip.

Clashes continued on Israel’s northern border. The IDF said rockets were fired from Lebanon into Adamit, with five soldiers “lightly injured as a result,” and that it struck Hezbollah targets in Lebanon. The Lebanese militant group said on its Telegram account that four of its fighters were killed.

At least 21,978 people have been killed in Gaza and 56,697 wounded since the war began, the Gaza Health Ministry said Monday. Israel estimates that 1,200 people were killed in the Oct. 7 Hamas attack.