DHAKA: Residents in Gaza are using a 12-hour humanitarian truce to return to their homes, gather essential supplies and search for those trapped in the rubble.

At least 60 bodies have been recovered and taken to the Shifa Hospital morgue, with more thought to remain buried.

Some 940 Palestinians, mostly civilians, have died since the Israel-Hamas conflict began on 8 July, with 5,870 injured, officials say, reports the BBC.

Thirty-eight Israelis, mostly military personnel, have died.

International talks on a longer truce are resuming in Paris.

Correspondents reported a tense situation in areas hardest-hit by air strikes and tank shelling, but some semblance of normal life returning.

Israel said it would continue to ‘locate and neutralize’ Hamas tunnels during the pause, which began at 08:00 local time (05:00 GMT).

Israeli strikes killed at least 19 Palestinians overnight at a family home near Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip.

Two Israeli soldiers were also killed, Israel’s military confirmed. The Iron Dome defense system intercepted three rockets fired towards the southern Israeli town of Ashkelon overnight.

BDST: 1654 HRS, JUL 26, 2014