In the early morning of Sunday, 18 January 2009, Israel declared a ceasefire, while decided to keep its military presence in the Gaza Strip. Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) have redeployed outside Palestinian communities, but they have continued to control the road that extends from al-Mentar (Karni) crossing in the east to the beach in the west, south of Gaza City, cutting off Gaza City and the northern Gaza Strip from other areas to the south. PCHR field workers who visited several areas throughout the Gaza Strip, especially Gaza City, the north and the Egyptian border reported as these areas looked as they were struck by a heavy earthquake. Since the morning, medical and civil defense crews have continued to pick up decayed corpses from areas that had been invaded by IOF. IOF warplanes have continued to fly over the Gaza Strip, while IOF military vehicles that had redeployed outside residential areas have continued to fire at Palestinian civilians, especially those who live in border areas. PCHR warns of the intensive IOF presence in the Gaza Strip which may expand and endanger Palestinian civilians and property.