Ground troops withdrew from the
Gaza Strip on Sunday as Israel wrapped up an
operation to destroy tunnels, but airstrikes
continued, killing at least 15 Palestinians,
among them 10 members of one family.
A military official said that most combat troops
were back in Israeli territory by Sunday
morning. Officials stressed that some soldiers
would remain in key positions, especially on the
inside of the Gaza-Israel border, between the
first lines of houses and the border fence.
They said they expected the tunnel demolitions
to be completed within the next 24 hours, cutting
off Palestinian militants' access to Israel to kill
or capture soldiers or civilians.
Hamas spokesperson Sami Abu Zuhri said Israel
would pay a price whether it remains in Gaza,
withdrew or chose to negotiate.
The Israeli army acknowledged on Sunday that
a missing soldier earlier believed to have been
captured had been killed in combat.
A special committee led by the military's chief
rabbi concluded on the weekend that Lieutenant
Hadar Goldin had been killed on Friday.
Military operations continued especially in the
southern Gaza town of Rafah, the scene of
heavy fighting since Friday.
The Palestinian death toll has risen to at least 1
737 since 8 July, including about 400 children,
the Gaza health ministry said
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