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Israeli troops withdraw as 72-hour ceasefire comes into effect

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Israel has today withdrawn all ground troops from the Gaza strip prior to the start of a 72-hour ceasefire. 29 days into Operation Protective Edge, the ceasefire was agreed by Palestinian factions in Egypt last night and confirmed by Israel shortly afterwards. The troops remain near the border with Gaza to respond to any ceasefire breaches.

Immediately before the start of the ceasefire, Hamas fired barrages of rockets towards Israeli cities including Jerusalem. A rocket reportedly landed in the Palestinian village of Bet Sahour, only 3 miles from the outskirts of Jerusalem.

The IDF announced last night that it has destroyed all known tunnels from Gaza into Israel. 32 tunnels were decommissioned over the course of the operation.

Palestinians have been returning to their homes in evacuated neighbourhoods like Beit Hanoun since yesterday, and fishing boats have set sail along the Gaza coast for the first time in weeks.

The unconditional-but-temporary ceasefire will be followed by negotiations on a lasting deal. This is very similar to the Egyptian ceasefire proposal rejected by Hamas three weeks ago. Hamas’s change of heart has led some Israeli commentators to consider Hamas as having effectively surrendered. An Israeli delegation will now head to Cairo to join the talks.

The talks are expected to be difficult. The expanded list of demands from the Palestinian factions includes a complete opening of Gaza and removal of import/export restrictions, the construction of an airport and seaport, transfers of money to Hamas government employees and the release of hundreds of prisoners. Israel seeks a demilitarised Gaza and the return of Palestinian Authority control to the Gaza Strip.