3-day truce between Israel, Hamas takes effect

GAZA: 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 Israel aggression. 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 Israeli aggression 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.