Then: depending on how the end of the previous verse is structured, it may be possible to drop the transition word here. But if a new sentence is started here, it may begin with “After that….”
The latter: this clearly refers to the “king of the north,” or the king of Syria, and this should probably be made clear in the translation.
The two expressions come into the realm and shall return into his own land are rather neutral in meaning. Historical documents make no mention of a corresponding Syrian invasion into Egypt. Furthermore the neutral vocabulary of this verse does not necessarily mean that there was hostile intent. It is therefore impossible for us to know with certainty what the purpose of this visit may have been: military revenge as Good News Translation indicates, or political negotiation. Nor is it clear whether it was a success or a failure. Therefore it may be better to leave the translation as neutral as possible. Bible en français courant provides a model for this type of rendering: “the king of the north will go into the kingdom of the south and then return to his own country.” Since it is highly unlikely that the king went alone, it may be misleading in some languages to use the verbs “go” and “return” without giving any further information. It may be necessary to choose a plural subject like “the king and his men.” It should be noted, however, that most modern English versions use the loaded term “invade,” implying hostile military action (New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, Revised English Bible, New American Bible, An American Translation, and Moffatt, in addition to Good News Translation). New English Bible carries the same meaning with “overrun” and “retreat.” If this interpretation is followed, an explanatory footnote may be given, stating that this is not necessarily the only possible interpretation.
The subject of the phrase shall return into his own land can theoretically refer either to the king of the north or the king of the south. But it is more probable that the king of the north (Syria) is intended.
Quoted with permission from Péter-Contesse, René & Ellington, John. A Handbook on Daniel. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1994. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .