Last IDF troops leave Gaza Strip
Israeli military pulls out of Strip Tuesday night, but forces remain on high alert along border in case Hamas violates ceasefire. Security sources believe calm will prevail in near future as Hamas reconstructs infrastructure
Operation Cast Lead officially concluded Tuesday night after the last IDF troops in the Gaza Strip returned to Israel.
However, the army continues to maintain a high state of alert on the Strip's border in case the ceasefire with Hamas might be violated.
The units were originally planned to leave Gaza before the inauguration of US President Barack Obama on Tuesday, but several shooting incidents in the area forced the soldiers to delay their pullout.
Last hours in Gaza (Photo: AFP)
Palestinian gunmen opened fire on Israeli troops in two separate incidents in Gaza Tuesday, and several mortar shells were fired at Israel. No injuries or damage were reported in any of the attacks.
IDF sources estimated that calm would prevail in Gaza in the near future, while Hamas is busy reconstructing the Strip's infrastructure and rebuilding its organization.
Large amount of explosives and booby traps, most of them placed by Hamas, are still scattered across the Strip. Two local children were killed in an explosion on Tuesday after playing with a landmine.
Security officials said that Hamas continues to steal the humanitarian aid allowed into Gaza and to assault UNRWA drivers. Hamas operatives have also been reportedly preventing Gaza's injured from receiving medial care in the clinic operated by Israel at the Erez crossing, forcing them to seek treatment in Egypt instead.
