The IDF began a partial withdrawal of troops from Gaza immediately after a government-ordered ceasefire even though southern Israel continued to suffer rocket attacks. The troop movement was ordered despite a Saturday night Cabinet decision that troops would remain in the area until Hamas stops firing rockets on Israel.
Seventeen rockets struck as far away as Kiryat Gat, causing light injuries and widespread damage. One rocket was fired from between two schools, and the IDF did not strike back at the cell, presumably in order to avoid hitting civilians.
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After the one-sided ceasefire went into effect and following the rocket attacks, Hamas claimed victory in the midst of defeat by announcing its own ceasefire. It "gave" Israel seven days to withdraw its troops from the Gaza area.
Outgoing Prime Minister Ehud Olmert made it clear to European leaders in a summit at Sharm el-Sheikh and later at a dinner in Jerusalem Sunday night that he will order the IDF to remove all soldiers from the Gaza region as soon as conditions allow.
Channel 2
"We halted fire after reaching most of our aims," he told six visiting European leaders. "If the ceasefire will continue, we have no intention of remaining in Gaza. The IDF will pull out when we are sure there is not danger to the citizens of Israel. We do not want to remain in Gaza, and we intend to withdraw as soon as possible."
All six European countries - Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the Czech Republic promised to lend technical and physical support to stop arms smuggling.
French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, answering a journalist's concerns that smuggling will continue, stopped short of promising that the international community will succeed where Egypt failed three years ago in a similar agreement following the IDF withdrawal from Gaza under the Disengagement program.
"Step by step," Kouchner said while expressing hope that the smuggling will stop.
"First, we must stop rocket attacks," he said. Step two is to stop smuggling, Kouchner added, followed by the opening of Gaza crossings.
Maj. Gen. Amir Eshel, Head of IDF Strategic Planning, updated foreign press on the situation in Gaza after the cease fire was announced (see video above).