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Gaza: Israel-Hamas truce continues, eyes on negotiations

The news of the Israeli military withdrawal from the Gaza Strip came at the same time as the start of a 72-hour truce accepted by both Israel and Hamas thanks to Egypt's mediation - The UN secretary general called for "negotiations at Cairo to gun for a lasting ceasefire”.

Gaza: Israel-Hamas truce continues, eyes on negotiations

Israel has completed the withdrawal of its troops from the Gaza Strip. This was announced this morning by General Moti Almoz, spokesman for the Jewish state, specifying that the mission is accomplished: the tunnels dug by Hamas under the border have been destroyed. 

The news of the withdrawal came in conjunction with the start of a 72-hour truce accepted by both Israel and Hamas thanks to Egypt's mediation. However, Almoz specified that a small military contingent will remain near the border, ready to react in case Hamas breaks the ceasefire.

In the next few hours, 300 trucks should enter Gaza: 10 carrying medical supplies together with 5 ambulances. The lines to bring electricity back to the battered Palestinian territory should also be repaired soon.

UN Secretary General Ban ki-moon and the United States welcomed the news of the truce. The leader of the United Nations has asked Israel and Hamas to engage "in negotiations in Cairo to achieve a lasting ceasefire, dealing with the problems that are at the origin of the conflict".

The White House, in turn, called the truce "an important initiative", to which it guaranteed "full support". The goal is "a lasting ceasefire: Hamas must now demonstrate that it will respect the commitment," explained Barack Obama's foreign policy cabinet.

Meanwhile, since the beginning of the Israeli offensive on July 8, 1.900 Palestinians have been killed, including about 400 children. Another 9 were injured and 285 displaced people in UN-managed shelters alone. However, the budget seems destined to grow. On the Israeli front, 64 soldiers and three civilians died. 

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