Last Israeli soldier leaves Gaza

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) completed its pullout from the Gaza Strip around 7 a.m. (0400 GMT) Monday morning as the new border's gate between Israel and Gaza closed.

"We see the last soldier left Gaza. Our mission is completed. " Aviv Kochavi, commander of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) in Gaza, said in front of soldiers and journalists.

Kochavi said that from now on, the responsibility of Gaza is on the Palestinian side, adding that the IDF is preparing on the new line and ready to take actions against any possible attacks from the Palestinians.

Two soldiers locked a gate at the border and Kochavi shook their hands. Israeli soldiers then raised their national flag, removed from Gaza's military headquarters, on the Israeli side of the border.

Some 3,000 soldiers withdrew from the Gaza Strip at midnight Sunday, ending 38 years' Israeli military rule in the Strip.

Source: Xinhua