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KISSUFIM CROSSING, Gaza Strip - Driving past a makeshift barrier, the last Israeli soldier departed the Gaza Strip on Monday — completing Israel's historic pullout from the coastal territory after 38 years of military rule.
The last column of tanks rumbled out of Gaza just after sunrise, passing through the Kissufim crossing into Israel. Gaza commander Brig. Gen. Aviv Kochavi drove through the crossing and became the last Israeli soldier to leave.
Two soldiers in purple berets 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.
"The mission has been completed, and an era has ended," Kochavi said during a brief ceremony.
Kochavi's arrival capped a night-long evacuation of the last Israeli soldiers in Gaza. Israel cleared out its 21 settlements and their 8,500 residents last month.
Two military tractors began piling concrete blocks and dirt piles, fortifying the border ahead of Kochavi's arrival.
One Palestinian car waving a black flag briefly approached the border before turning around. Several Palestinians milled about in the road off in the distance.
Dozens of soldiers, including Maj. Gen. Dan Harel, head of Israel's southern command, waited for Kochavi on the Israeli side.
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"38 years of military rule" - They spun this one without noting that Egypt lost this land after preparing to attack Israel for the 3rd time in 1967 (after 1948 and 1956). And then tried again in 1973.
KISSUFIM CROSSING, Gaza Strip - Driving past a makeshift barrier, the last Israeli soldier departed the Gaza Strip on Monday — completing Israel's historic pullout from the coastal territory after 38 years of military rule.
The last column of tanks rumbled out of Gaza just after sunrise, passing through the Kissufim crossing into Israel. Gaza commander Brig. Gen. Aviv Kochavi drove through the crossing and became the last Israeli soldier to leave.
Two soldiers in purple berets 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.
"The mission has been completed, and an era has ended," Kochavi said during a brief ceremony.
Kochavi's arrival capped a night-long evacuation of the last Israeli soldiers in Gaza. Israel cleared out its 21 settlements and their 8,500 residents last month.
Two military tractors began piling concrete blocks and dirt piles, fortifying the border ahead of Kochavi's arrival.
One Palestinian car waving a black flag briefly approached the border before turning around. Several Palestinians milled about in the road off in the distance.
Dozens of soldiers, including Maj. Gen. Dan Harel, head of Israel's southern command, waited for Kochavi on the Israeli side.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
"38 years of military rule" - They spun this one without noting that Egypt lost this land after preparing to attack Israel for the 3rd time in 1967 (after 1948 and 1956). And then tried again in 1973.
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