NNA - The civil defence agency in Hamas-run Gaza told AFP on Friday that about 40 bodies had been found in an initial search of two Gaza City districts after Israeli troops ended an offensive.

Civil defence spokesman Mahmud Bassal said the bodies were found in the Tal al-Hawa and al-Sinaa districts. The agency and residents said Israeli troops had pulled out after days of battles with Hamas militants but this was not immediately confirmed by the military.

"Up to now, about 40 bodies have been found," Bassal said, adding that dozens more were feared buried under the rubble. -- AFP

===================