An Israeli soldier embraces his mother Saturday.
Some soldiers were allowed to spend a few hours with their families during a 12-hour ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
The encounters took place at a checkpoint between Israel and a closed military zone.
Elsewhere, friends and relatives gather to mourn the death of 21-year-old Staff Sergeant Guy Boyland -- including his aunt.
(SOUNDBITE)(Hebrew) AUNT OF KILLED SOLDIER, ROTEM GOFFER, SAYING:
"There are no words to describe the sorrow and the loss, not just his loss but all those who have been killed. And we hope that the operation will end, that the war will end already and that there will be peace."
The Israeli army said Boyland was killed Friday during fighting in southern Gaza.
Israel launched its offensive on July 8 and vowed to halt repeated rocket fire out of Gaza by Hamas militants.
Since then, more than 1,000 Palestinians have been killed, among them many civilians. Israel has lost
