3-day truce between Israel, Hamas takes effect

Israeli reserve soldiers are seen on the top of an armored personnel carrier returning to Israel from Gaza Strip, southern Israel, Monday. AP

JERUSALEM—A cease-fire between Israel and Hamas meant to last at least three days has taken effect in the Gaza Strip.

The truce was agreed to by both sides in the month-long war. It started at 8 a.m. (0500 GMT) on Tuesday.

During the 72-hour truce, Israel and Hamas are to hold indirect talks in Cairo on a broader deal that would prevent future cross-border violence.

Previous international attempts to broker a temporary halt in the fighting failed.

The Israeli military says all its ground troops will have pulled out of Gaza by the start of the new cease-fire.

The war has claimed nearly 1,900 Palestinian lives — most of them civilians. The war has also left 67 Israelis dead, all but three of them soldiers.

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