Israel has suspended its offensive into the Gaza Strip following a lull in rocket fire by Palestinian militants.
The Israeli army claimed the operation, which included a series of airstrikes on alleged weapons factories, storage facilities and launching areas, achieved its goal of weakening militants' ability to attack Israel from Gaza, the army said. Militants have not fired rockets into Israel since last Tuesday, it added.
"Just because there have not been attacks does not mean there will not be more," said army spokeswoman Capt. Yael Hartmann. "We will continue the operation when we see the need to rein in possible attacks."
The renewed violence came just weeks after Israel completed its withdrawal from Gaza after 38 years of occupation. The limited withdrawal had raised hopes around the world that peace talks could soon resume.
Hamas and Islamic Jihad last week both declared a halt to the rocket fire last week. According to the Israeli army, militants fired 35 homemade rockets into Israel during the fighting.
Hartmann said the militants' declarations "don't mean anything to us." But after several nights of activity, Israel halted its airstrikes last Thursday.
Israeli security officials said the operation was informally halted over the weekend. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity under security regulations.
Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said a halt in fighting "serves the interests" of Israelis and Palestinians.
"As Palestinians, we are fully committed to the cessation of violence against Israelis anywhere, and I hope the Israeli announcement today constitutes a full cessation by Israel of violence against Palestinians anywhere," he said.