However, in view of the late start to the battle and the threat from these reinforcements, Dobell, the commander of Eastern Force, after talking with Chetwode, the commander of Desert Column, decided that unless Gaza was captured by nightfall, the fighting must stop and the mounted force withdrawn.
I betragtning af at slaget begyndte sent og truslen fra disse forstærkninger, besluttede Dobell, chefen for den Østlige styrke, efter at have talt med Chetwode, lederen af Ørkenkolonnen, at med mindre Gaza var erobret inden aften, måtte kampen afbrydes, og den beredne styrke trækkes tilbage.