Part of the deal will see the first 13 of 50 hostages released later
Image via unsplash.comIsrael's defence forces say sirens have sounded in communities near the Gaza Strip, after an agreed truce with Hamas for a four-day pause in fighting.
But there's been no confirmation that rocket launches have been heard since the agreement took effect at 5 o'clock this morning (Irish time).
Explosions leading up to the 5 am scheduled start of the truce, could be heard and seen over the Gaza skyline.
Part of the deal will see the first 13 of 50 hostages released later.
Israel will free 150 Palestinian prisoners, in return.
It believes Hamas is operating below the Al Shifa hospital, and yesterday arrested one of its directors.
Journalist in Israel, Ruth Eglash says there is tension in the region as they wait to see if the ceasefire will hold:
"There were some rocket sirens in Israel indicating that there had been maybe rockets fired from Gaza but since then it's been quiet about an hour now (6 am).
"Although I'm seeing reports of civilians in Gaza forced to leave their homes in the north, trying to go back to them and Israel has said they won't let them. So, everyone is tense here, everyone waiting to see if this will hold."
