Cease-fire in Gaza appears to be holding

[Scurrilous]

<snip>

"Israeli troops and tanks continued to leave Gaza on Monday as a fragile cease-fire opened the way for intensified international efforts to build a more durable peace. In Kuwait, leaders at an Arab summit sought to close ranks after deep divisions over the 22-day Gaza war.

Small skirmishes broke out on Sunday but Gaza was largely quiet after Israel, then Hamas, announced unilateral cease-fires, ending a devastating 22-day battle in which more than 1,300 Palestinians and 13 Israelis died. Some news reports said Israeli forces planned to complete their withdrawal in time for the inauguration on Tuesday of Barack Obama as president of the United States.

But an Israeli military spokesman, speaking in return for customary anonymity, said there was "no official basis for that report but there's a gradual thinning of troops going on." He declined to discuss the timetable for the withdrawal to be completed. In Gaza, residents said police officers had returned to their posts and there had been no apparent renewal of hostilities."

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[Scurrilous]

1. Truce maintained as south enjoys first rocket-free day since Gaza op began

<snip>

"Israel Defense Forces officers supervising the pullout of troops from Gaza on Monday were working to have the last Israeli soldier leave Gaza on Tuesday before the Washington, D.C., inauguration of United States President Barack Obama.

The IDF is expected on Tuesday to begin discharging many of the reservists drafted two weeks ago under emergency orders.

Troops began significantly reducing their presence in the Gaza Strip as early as Saturday night, immediately after Israel declared a unilateral cease-fire which put and end to Operation Cast Lead. The troops took key positions around the Strip, poised to reenter when ordered.

Hamas militants took steps to avoid violating the cease-fire on Monday, not firing any rockets into Israel and not attacking the IDF troops still stationed in the Strip."

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1057066.html

[Fozzledick]

2. Maybe they're starting to learn?

IDF sources said that the peace was maintained despite alleged orders by Hamas leadership in Damascus for their operatives in Gaza to carry out attacks against IDF forces. Israeli officers said that the militants chose to ignore the order.