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Israel maintains attacks on Gaza Israel pulls troops out of Gaza
(about 2 hours later)
Israel has continued its military action in Gaza despite international calls for restraint, with five militants killed in the latest strikes. Most Israeli troops have pulled out of northern Gaza after days of fighting that left more than 100 people dead and drew concern worldwide.
More than 100 Palestinians and three Israelis have been killed since Wednesday, with Israel insisting it is defending itself against rocket attack. The Israeli military confirmed that most of the troops sent into the strip last week were now back and "only a few units remain in the field".
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is due in the region shortly for talks. Israeli air strikes overnight killed five militants, adding to some 100 Palestinian deaths since Wednesday.
Palestinian President Mahmood Abbas has formally suspended contacts with Israel in protest at its actions. Israel, with three dead, says it is defending itself against rocket attack.
The administration of US President George W Bush has joined international calls for a halt to the fighting in Gaza, saying: "The violence needs to stop and the talks need to resume." There has been widespread international alarm at the scale of the Israeli action and West Bank-based Palestinian President Mahmood Abbas has formally suspended contacts with Israel in protest.
The European Union criticised what it called Israel's ''disproportionate use of force'' and also demanded an immediate end to Palestinian militant rocket attacks on Israel.
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey, one of Israel's few Muslim allies, said there was "no humane or legal justification for the attacks on Gaza''.
And in Rome, Pope Benedict called for a halt to the "spiral of violence, unilaterally and without conditions''.
Metal workshopsMetal workshops
Israeli aircraft made at least eight different strikes early on Monday, killing five Palestinian militants, Palestinian sources say. An Israeli military spokesman told news agencies the ground operation was "winding down".
Rocket attacks injured at least three Israeli civilians on SundayRocket attacks injured at least three Israeli civilians on Sunday
Palestinian eyewitnesses have told AFP news agency that Israeli armoured vehicles are leaving the Jabaliya refugee camp in northern Gaza, scene of some of the bloodiest ground fighting.
A Hamas spokesman quoted by Reuters said: "The enemy has been defeated."
Israeli aircraft made at least eight different strikes early on Monday, killing five Palestinian militants, Palestinian sources say.
The dead are said to be either members of the ruling Hamas movement or the Popular Resistance Committees group.The dead are said to be either members of the ruling Hamas movement or the Popular Resistance Committees group.
Most of the aerial attacks targeted metal workshops across the territory and there are reports that the Israeli navy was involved in the bombardment.Most of the aerial attacks targeted metal workshops across the territory and there are reports that the Israeli navy was involved in the bombardment.
"There were a number of aerial attacks on weapons manufacturing facilities," an Israeli army spokesman was quoted by Reuters as saying."There were a number of aerial attacks on weapons manufacturing facilities," an Israeli army spokesman was quoted by Reuters as saying.
More than 25 rockets were fired by militants into southern Israel on Sunday, several reaching Ashkelon, a city of nearly 120,000 people, the Israeli military said.More than 25 rockets were fired by militants into southern Israel on Sunday, several reaching Ashkelon, a city of nearly 120,000 people, the Israeli military said.
Talks off 'It needs to stop'
The administration of US President George W Bush joined international calls for a halt to the fighting in Gaza, saying: "The violence needs to stop and the talks need to resume."
The European Union criticised what it called Israel's ''disproportionate use of force'' and also demanded an immediate end to Palestinian militant rocket attacks on Israel.
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey, one of Israel's few Muslim allies, said there was "no humane or legal justification for the attacks on Gaza''.
Mr Abbas's spokesman, Nabil Abu Rudeina, blamed Israel for the suspension of talks on all levels.Mr Abbas's spokesman, Nabil Abu Rudeina, blamed Israel for the suspension of talks on all levels.
"In light of the Israeli aggression such communication has no meaning," he said."In light of the Israeli aggression such communication has no meaning," he said.
A spokesman for Israel's Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, Arye Mekel, said the Palestinian decision was a mistake and expressed hope negotiations would resume.A spokesman for Israel's Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, Arye Mekel, said the Palestinian decision was a mistake and expressed hope negotiations would resume.
Mr Abbas restarted the talks after a conference in November in the US city of Annapolis.Mr Abbas restarted the talks after a conference in November in the US city of Annapolis.
Condoleezza Rice is due to make a scheduled visit to the region early this week, meeting both Mr Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is due in the region early this week for talks with both Mr Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.