epa04341302 A column of Israeli Merkava tanks leaving the Gaza Strip, south of Israel near the Border with Gaza Strip, 05 August 2014. A 72-hour truce went into effect in the Gaza Strip and Israel early 05 August after a last-minute flurry of rockets and airstrikes. The Egypt-brokered ceasefire, agreed between Israel and Hamas-led militant groups, began at 8 am (0500 GMT). Both sides agreed to refrain from fighting and hold indirect talks in Cairo on a permanent truce.
Gaza residents began to leave their homes as soon as the ceasefire came into effect. Main streets and markets filled with traffic and people. The remaining Israeli ground troops in Gaza were to withdraw and redeploy to the Israeli side of the border, military spokesman Peter Lerner said. EPA/ATEF SAFADI