The intent here is as I previously suggested. Israel has largely defanged Hamas as a military force. Staying in Gaza after that point would only mire Israel in an endless war of the sort pioneered by GW Bush. What is next is for the conservative (non islamo radical) states of the Arab world to support a PLO takeover of the Gaza Strip to rebuild its civilian structure. Look for roles for Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia. A role for Turkey would be especially important given that country’s long term commitment to a rational form of Islam.
Haaretz The Israel Defense Forces has withdrawn most of its troops from Gaza’s battle zones on Sunday, although no official order has been issued to end Operation Protective Edge.
The military’s Southern Command is concerned over possible sniper attacks on soldiers near the enclave’s border.
Israeli forces that remain in Gaza are working on destroying one more tunnel near Rafah. Other units are operating in Beit Hanun. The IDF has decided to keep some forces within Gaza to protect Israeli communities near the border.
A senior officer said on Sunday morning that a security zone within the enclave “should be maintained for defense purposes, and we are prepared to attack as well.”
The units that have withdrawn from the Strip remain near the border.
Military officials say that IDF reservists have yet to be released in a sweeping manner, although some have been sent home for periods of rest. The military continues to define the area near Gaza’s border, east of Route 232, as a closed military zone. No order has been issued with regard to the operation’s completion, the officials said.
An IDF soldier was moderately wounded by sniper fire in Beit Hanun. An hour later, Givati troops were fired upon in the Rafah region. An Armored Corps unit returned fire but the gunman escaped in a getaway car. An Israeli aircraft then struck the vehicle. A direct hit was identified, the military said.