Israel pulled its ground forces out of the Gaza Strip on Tuesday and began a 72-hour truce with Hamas as a first step toward negotiations on ending their month-old war, Reuters reported. Israeli infantry left Gaza, as a military spokesman said their goal of destroying cross-border tunnels had been completed. Minutes before the cease-fire started, Hamas launched rockets as revenge for Israel's "massacres,” though no injuries were reported. Gaza officials say the war has killed 1,834 Palestinians, most of them civilians. Israel says 64 of its soldiers and three civilians have been killed since fighting began on July 8.
