According to reports, Israel's removal of some units out of Gaza likely amounts to "thousands of troops" who are receding, this as Palestinian fighters report "huge victories on the battlefield."

Israel says five of its military brigades, including many of its reservists, are leaving Gaza this week as part of an Israeli effort to "pace itself for an expected long-term conflict and to mitigate damage to Israel's economy," to quote NBC News.

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) says the following brigades will all be returning to their normal training missions this week:

• 828th Brigade

• 261st Brigade

• 460th Brigade

Israel's 551st Brigade and 14th Brigade, both of which are comprised of reservists, will also be allowed to go home and resume their jobs, the IDF announced.

What does Israel have planned next?

Israel clarified that these brigade removals do not mean an end or even a reduction to the war in Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly stated that the war will continue for "many more months."

"The goals of the war require prolonged fighting and we are preparing accordingly," also stated IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari to reporters, adding that allowing the reservists to come home will "allow considerable relief for the economy and allow them to gather strength for the next activities in the coming year, and the fighting will continue and we will still need them."

As of this writing, Israel has not yet indicated precisely how many IDF soldiers are fighting in the Gaza Strip. We do know that thousands of IDF soldiers will now be allowed to leave, though, at least temporarily.