March 3 (Bloomberg) -- Israel began winding down its offensive in the Gaza Strip that has left more than 100 Palestinians dead since last week, after the United Nations demanded an end to the violence.

Israeli forces were withdrawing from the seaside enclave ruled by the Islamic Hamas movement, and most of the troops have left, an army spokesman said on condition of anonymity in line with regulations. The army said five rockets were launched from Gaza into Israel today, including one that hit an apartment building in Ashkelon.

Hamas claimed the Israeli withdrawal a military victory and called for demonstrations throughout the seaside enclave it governs ``to celebrate the defeat of the Israeli occupation army.''

Israel began the ground, air and sea operation Feb. 29 after Hamas stepped up rocket attacks on southern towns, firing Soviet- made Grad missiles that brought Ashkelon, a city of 110,000 people that is 17 kilometers (11 miles) north of Gaza, within range. Militants previously limited most attacks to unguided, shorter range Qassam rockets made in Gaza.

The UN Security Council yesterday said the fighting ``must not be allowed to deter the political process between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.'' U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is scheduled to meet tomorrow with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in an effort to push forward the peace talks.

Abbas yesterday said he was suspending negotiations due to the bloodshed, chief Palestinian negotiator Ahmed Qureia said.

Death Toll

Four Palestinians were killed in Israeli strikes early today, and three bodies were found under rubble in areas the Israeli army withdrew from, taking the death toll since Feb. 27 to 116, said Mo'aweya Hassanein, chief of emergency services at the Pale1stinian Health Ministry.

In the West Bank city of Ramallah, a 18-year-old protesting Israeli military operations in Gaza was shot and killed by Israeli soldiers, Palestinian officials said. The army said it was checking the report.

Israeli warplanes struck three weapons manufacturers, a Hamas command center and an armed gang overnight, an army spokesman said.

Three Israelis, including two soldiers and a civilian, have been killed in the violence.

The use of Grad missiles against Israel has increased calls for the army to invade Gaza, where Hamas has ruled since it ousted forces loyal to Abbas in June, ending a partnership government with his Fatah party.

No Public Comments

Olmert, who defines the conflict with Hamas in Gaza as a ``war,'' yesterday ordered his ministers to stop making public comments about the fighting. His security cabinet, that includes the defense and foreign minister and military officials, is to meet on March 5 to make further decisions on Gaza.

Oxfam International called on the ``international community to take immediate action to stop the escalation of violence'' and press for a truce to ensure civilians are protected.

``Sustaining and increasing human suffering is unlikely to lead to peace,'' Oxfam's Adam Leach said in an e-mailed statement today.

Palestinians in east Jerusalem, who are considered residents of Israel but do not have the right to vote in national elections, protested the Israeli military strikes on a central throughway this morning. About 150 demonstrators dispersed peacefully, Israel police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said.

To contact the reporter on this story: Gwen Ackerman in Jerusalem at gackerman@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: March 3, 2008 04:14 EST