Just minutes before a ceasefire begins more destruction in the Middle East.

This time in the occupied West Bank.

A salvo of rockets is launched from Gaza. Hamas militants say it's revenge for Israel's "massacres". There were no reports of casualties but one hits this Palestinian house near Bethlehem.

(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) OWNER OF HOUSE ELIAS JUBRAN, SAYING:

"We were at home asleep, when we heard a loud explosion that shook all the houses, three floors and my brothers' houses on the other side, the windows and other things broke."

Despite the attacks Israel has pulled its troops from the Gaza Strip.

The army says its close to destroying a network of cross border tunnels it believes is used by Hamas to conduct raids inside the country.

And now Israel says its safe for Palestinians to return to their neighbourhoods.

A quarter of the population have fled their houses to escape the fighting.

It's a chance to return home and stock up on