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Israeli army leaves Beit Hanoun Israeli army leaves Beit Hanoun
(about 1 hour later)
The Israeli army says it has withdrawn from the town of Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip. Israel's army says it has pulled out of the town of Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip, after a six-day operation.
The military left at dawn on Tuesday after a six-day operation in the town, but left soldiers in surrounding areas. "We withdrew our forces from Beit Hanoun after having completed our mission," said a military spokesman.
"We withdrew our forces from Beit Hanoun after having completed our mission," said an army spokesman. Witnesses confirmed Israeli troops had left the town. The army says they took up positions in surrounding areas.
About 50 Palestinians died during the operation. Israel says it is targeting rocket-firing Palestinian militants operating from northern Gaza. About 50 Palestinians died during the operation, which Israel says has targeted rocket-firing militants operating from northern Gaza.
The entire town of Beit Hanoun had been under Israeli control and troops ordered residents to stay indoors. The entire town of Beit Hanoun had been under Israeli control.
Our correspondent says this caused severe shortages of water and power, and the arrival of a small United Nations aid convoy on Monday sparked frantic scenes. Tens of thousands of residents were ordered to stay indoors, leading to shortages of electricity and water.
Palestinian talks
Israeli forces have made regular incursions into Gaza and the West Bank since the capture of an Israeli soldier in a cross-border raid by Palestinian militants on 25 June.Israeli forces have made regular incursions into Gaza and the West Bank since the capture of an Israeli soldier in a cross-border raid by Palestinian militants on 25 June.
Despite the crackdown, a rocket hit the Israeli border town of Sderot on Sunday, but no-one was hurt. The Israeli pull-out came as Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Ismail Haniya prepared to hold more discussions on the formation of a unity government.
The European Union presidency, currently held by Finland, issued a statement deploring "the growing number of civilian casualties the Israeli military operation has caused". The talks are designed to ease the international embargo against the Hamas-led Palestinian Authority. The two men met late on Monday.
The International Red Cross also criticised Israel for the killing of two medical workers, saying that the paramedics and their vehicle were clearly marked. Foreign donors, including the US and the European Union, have boycotted the Palestinian government over Hamas's refusal to recognise Israel or to renounce violence.