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Israel has begun withdrawing some troops from Gaza, suggesting a move to “lower-intensity operations” in the northern part of the Palestinian enclave, according to a US official.

In remarks to Reuters, the anonymous US official said, “This appears to be the start of the gradual shift to lower-intensity operations in the north that we have been encouraging.” The US official also indicated that this move reflects Israel’s “success” in degrading Hamas’ military capabilities in the north, though it doesn’t signify any change in operations in the south.

This comes after President Biden’s recent conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu focused on Israel’s operational goals and the importance of protecting civilians and securing the release of hostages held by Hamas. While the US, a principal ally of Israel, maintains its support, it has also expressed concerns about the casualties and humanitarian crisis in Gaza and has advocated for more targeted military strategies against Hamas leadership and infrastructure.

The war, sparked by an initial Hamas attack on Israeli towns, has resulted in substantial casualties on both sides.