Israeli warplanes hitting two Gaza City highrises

Gaza City (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) - Israel upped pressure on Hamas Tuesday, with warplanes hitting two Gaza City highrises on day 50 of their conflict as the warring parties mulled a new Egyptian truce proposal.

There appeared to be little outward sign, however, of interest in the Egyptian proposal which seeks to broker a more permanent end to seven weeks of fighting in Gaza which has so far killed 2,336 Palestinians and 68 on the Israeli side.

Several back-to-back truce agreements which brought relief to millions earlier this month, collapsed in a storm of violence on August 19, with the renewed fighting killing another 115 Palestinians and an Israeli child.

Israel, which pulled its negotiating team out of the Cairo talks a week ago, has repeatedly said it would not negotiate under fire, conditioning a return to the table on a complete halt to cross-border rocket fire.

BREAKING: Israel has begun withdrawing some troops from Gaza: army spokesman

BREAKING: At least 11 killed in strike on UN school in Gaza, Palestinian medics say

Israel has begun withdrawing some troops from Gaza. Israeli army spokesperson said Sunday some troops had begun withdrawing as operations against Hamas continue.  "We are removing some (forces), we are changing from within," Lieutenant Colonel Peter Lerner said, saying it as "an ongoing mission". 

"We are redeploying within the Gaza Strip and taking out other different positions, and relieving other forces from within, so it won't be the same type of ground operation," he told AFP. "But indeed we will continue to operate ... (and) have a rapid reaction force on the ground that can engage Hamas if required," he added.

These remarks follow yesterday’s indications that operations in Gaza were coming to an end after the army informed citizens of Beit Lahiya and Al-Atatra in the north that it was "safe" to return home.

BREAKING NEWS: Rockets fired from Gaza into Israel amid ceasefire, Israeli army says

Rockets fired from Gaza into Israel amid ceasefire, Israeli army says.

Israel and Hamas agree new ceasefire to begin Friday, Israeli official says.

Reports has that Mortars was fired from Gaza during humanitarian cease-fire.