Israelis Withdraw From Gaza Neighborhood

Israeli troops withdraw from Gaza City neighborhood after 5-day operation that left 20 dead


(AP) Israeli soldiers searching for tunnels and explosives withdrew from the outskirts of Gaza City on Thursday, ending a five-day operation that Palestinians said left 20 people dead and heavily damaged houses, streets and farmlands.

The army released footage and photos Wednesday of what it described as a tunnel dug by militants from the Shajaiyeh neighborhood to the Karni crossing, the main cargo passage between Gaza and Israel.

The tunnel, which was 13 yards deep and 150 yards long and reinforced with wooden beams, was to be used to attack Israeli soldiers at the crossing, the army said.

The army also dropped pamphlets over Gaza City on Thursday, warning people that the pedestrian and commercial crossings leading out of Gaza will remain closed as long as militants try to attack them.

CBS