Israeli offensive ends; 109 Palestinians dead

[Roland99]

http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/mld/myrtlebeachonline/news/nation/9934895.htm

Israel withdrew tanks and ground forces Friday from populated areas in the northern Gaza Strip, wrapping up its bloodiest offensive in the area in more than four years of fighting.

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon ordered the pullback at the urging of Israeli military commanders, who said the two-week offensive had played itself out, and after calls from the United States to wrap up the operation.

Since Israel launched the offensive Sept. 29, responding to a deadly rocket attack on the southern Israeli border town of Sderot, at least 109 Palestinians have been killed and hundreds more wounded.

Dozens of civilians, including 18 minors, died in the offensive. Five Israelis, including two preschoolers killed in the Sderot attack, also died.