DHAKA: Israeli ground forces completed their withdrawal from the Gaza Strip as the cease-fire came into effect.

‘We will prepare outside of the Strip,’ the source said, reports The Jerusalem Post.

The IDF is not moving forces away from the Gaza border area, the source said.

‘We are staying on stand by. We must see what happens on the ground, and the situation will be judged based on developments. On that basis, we will act,’ the source added.

‘In the event of hostile fire, we will respond. Those are the orders that were given to the forces,’ said the source.

The fighting has claimed nearly 1,900 Palestinian lives — most of them civilians. The war has also left 67 Israelis dead, all but three of them soldiers.

The army called up 82,000 reserves during the course of the conflict.  

The army is also repairing the security barrier along the Gaza-Israel border, and is close to completing the process, the source stated.

BDST: 1441 HRS, AUG 05, 2014