MIDEAST-GAZA/
Smoke rises after an explosion in Gaza, August 2, 2014. Some Israeli ground forces withdrew from the Gaza Strip on Saturday, two Israeli television stations reported, after the military said it was close to achieving its main war goal of destroying Hamas cross-border tunnels. Asked about the reports, an Israeli military spokesman said she could not comment on troop deployments. Shelling exchanges continued, pushing the Gaza death toll given by Palestinian officials up to 1,669, but in some areas witnesses reported Israeli tanks pulling back toward the border. Israel said Palestinians launched 74 rockets across the border, most of which fell harmlessly wide while seven were shot down by its Iron Dome interceptor, including over Tel Aviv. REUTERS/Siegfried Modola (ISRAEL - Tags: POLITICS CONFLICT TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) - GM1EA83069R01
