A hard-won peace was restored in the Gaza Strip Monday as Israeli troops began pulling out of the belt after their 22-day onslaught was halted by a tentative ceasefire deal with Hamas.
The truce, taking effect at 2.00 a.m. local time (midnight GMT) Sunday, was declared late Saturday by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who said the goals of the operation in Gaza had been "met in full".
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Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert speaks at a press conference held jointly with European leaders (not pictured) in Jerusalem, Jan. 18, 2009. Olmert said on Sunday that Israel will withdraw troops out of the Gaza Strip once a stable truce is guaranteed. [Xinhua/GOP]
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"We reached all of our objectives in Gaza," Olmert told a press conference in Tel Aviv, adding Hamas had been dealt a heavy blow by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and its leaders were in hiding.
The truce took effect just days before the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Barack Obama, who has said Mideast peace will be a priority for his administration.
In response to the ceasefire declaration, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged a quick influx of humanitarian aid to the isolated enclave, while U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said a ceasefire must be durable.
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Palestinians inspect a house striken by Israeli forces in Al-zaytoun neighborhood, north of Gaza Strip Jan. 18, 2009. Palestinian people started to go out in Gaza city Sunday morning after 22 days of being forced into their houses due to an unprecedented Israeli onslaught. [Wissam Nassar/Xinhua]
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Amid concerns over possible future Palestinian attacks, Israel is widely expected to retain some forces in Gaza. The returning troops were stationed along the border, said local news service Ynet.