Israeli ground forces have completed their main Gaza war mission of destroying cross-border tunnels dug by Palestinian guerrillas, Israel's two main radio stations reported on Tuesday, citing briefings from the military.

At least 32 of the underground infiltration passages, and dozens of access shafts, were located and blown up ahead of an Egyptian-mediated truce due to take effect later in the day, Israel Radio and Army Radio said.

Ground forces to quit Gaza ahead of truce

Meanwhile, Israeli ground forces will completely withdraw from the Gaza Strip ahead of an Egyptian-mediated ceasefire set to begin at 0500 GMT, a military spokesman said.

"The Israel Defence Forces will be redeployed in defensive positions outside the Gaza Strip and we will maintain those defensive positions," Lieutenant-Colonel Peter Lerner told reporters. – Reuters