IDF pulls out of central Gaza Strip | Jerusalem Post: "Following 72 hours of intense fighting, the IDF withdrew from the central Gaza Strip Saturday night, leaving behind 21 dead Palestinians, including seven killed earlier in the day.
The IDF said at least 18 of those were terrorists.
Although Operation Rain Man, launched two days earlier against Hamas's terror infrastructure, came to an end, Givati Brigade infantry accompanied by tanks raided the northern Gaza Strip near Beit Hanun in a new operation dubbed Four Species after the Succot holiday that ended Saturday night.
Their objective was to prevent Kassam rocket launchings. The IDF said it hoped the army's presence would deter terrorists from trying to reach the area to launch rockets. The soldiers were also ordered to uproot vegetation used as cover by rocket squads."