Israel Gaza live updates: Palestinians begin return to Khan Younis

 Palestinians have begun returning to the devastated city of Khan Younis, after Israel says it is reducing the numbers of soldiers in southern Gaza

1. Israel's military stresses a "significant force" will remain in Gaza, with the defence minister saying troops had to prepare for future operations.
2. The pull-out is being interpreted as tactical, rather than a sign the war may be moving closer to its end
3. Khan Younis has been under Israeli bombardment for months - the city and surrounding area are largely destroyed. 
   
   
   
4. One man, now living in Rafah, tells BBC News he is "filled with hope as my neighbour in a tent from Khan Younis was able to return home"
5. Meanwhile, international pressure for a ceasefire is mounting as negotiations between Israel and Hamas continue in Cairo
6. The US warned last week that its ongoing support for Israel was dependent on "specific, concrete steps" to boost aid and prevent civilian deaths.

7. Where do truce talks between Israel and Hamas stand?

   

   EGYPTIAN PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE/HANDOUT/EPA-EFE/REX/ShutterstockCopyright: EGYPTIAN PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE/HANDOUT/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock

   Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi (C) is seen sitting at a meeting with CIA Director William J. Burns (2-L) at the Al-Ittihadiya Palace in CairoImage caption: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi (C) is seen sitting at a meeting with CIA Director William J. Burns (2-L) at the Al-Ittihadiya Palace in Cairo

   We're receiving conflicting reports about the current state of Israel-Hamas truce talks this morning.

   While Egyptian media is reporting that there's been "noticeable progress" in the discussions - taking place in Cairo - Israel has been quoted as saying something quite different.

   “We still don’t see a deal on the horizon,” an unnamed Israeli official is quoted as telling the Ynet news site. “The distance [between the sides] is still great and there has been nothing dramatic so far."

   Similarly, Al Jazeera TV earlier quoted a Hamas source denying any progress had been made, saying the Israeli delegation “did not respond to any of Hamas’s demands”.

   Those demands include a permanent ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, the return of the displaced Palestinians to their homes, and the provision of freedom of movement, shelter and aid to Palestinians - as well as a hostage-prisoner swap deal.

   Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said over the weekend that Israel will not agree to a ceasefire until the hostages being held in Gaza are released. Sunday marked six months of the war.

8. THIS AND MORE UPDATES AT: Israel Gaza live updates: Palestinians begin return to Khan Younis - BBC News