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Israel pulls troops out of Gaza Israel pulls troops out of Gaza
(about 2 hours later)
Most Israeli troops have pulled out of northern Gaza after days of fighting that left more than 100 people dead and drew concern worldwide. Most Israeli troops have pulled out of northern Gaza after days of fighting that has left more than 100 people dead and drawn protest worldwide.
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". The Israeli military confirmed that most of the troops sent into the Gaza Strip last week were now back and "only a few units remain in the field".
Israeli air strikes overnight killed five militants, adding to some 100 Palestinian deaths since Wednesday. Israeli air strikes overnight killed five militants, adding to more than 100 Palestinian deaths since Wednesday.
Israel, with three dead, says it is defending itself against rocket attack.Israel, with three dead, says it is defending itself against rocket attack.
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. There has been widespread international alarm at the scale of the Israeli action and West Bank-based Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has formally suspended contacts with Israel in protest.
Metal workshopsMetal workshops
An Israeli military spokesman told news agencies the ground operation was "winding down". On Monday, Israeli armoured vehicles left the Jabaliya refugee camp in northern Gaza, scene of some of the bloodiest ground fighting.
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. Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Haim Ramon told Army Radio: "This operation has run its course. The main goal of the Israeli government... is to end the firing [of rockets] at targets in the south.
A Hamas spokesman quoted by Reuters said: "The enemy has been defeated." "There were dozens of deaths among the Hamas terrorists - this is certainly deterrence."
Israeli aircraft made at least eight different strikes early on Monday, killing five Palestinian militants, Palestinian sources say. However, a spokesman for militant group Hamas told Reuters: "The enemy has been defeated."
And the barrage of rockets fired at Israel was not stopped, with more than 25 being launched on Sunday, and several reaching Ashkelon, a city of nearly 120,000 people, the Israeli military said.
Israeli aircraft made at least eight different strikes early on Monday, killing five Palestinian militants, Palestinian sources said.
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.
'It needs to stop''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 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."
With US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice due to arrive for talks with the Israeli and Palestinian leaders, a US state department official said: "We're encouraging Israel to exercise caution to avoid the loss of innocent life."
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.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''.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.
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.