(VOVWORLD) - A temporary ceasefire between Israeli and Hamas forces took hold in the Gaza Strip on Friday, the first respite in 48 days of conflict that has devastated the Palestinian enclave. But both sides warned that their clashes are far from over.
 Displaced Palestinians return to their homes as they walk near houses destroyed in an Israeli strike, amid the temporary truce between Hamas and Israel, in the southern Gaza Strip on November 24, 2023.(Photo: Reuters) |
The ceasefire, which began at 7AM (local time) involves the release later on Friday of 13 Israeli women and children held hostage by Hamas in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.
Additional aid is to flow into Gaza, which has been gripped by a humanitarian crisis after weeks of Israeli bombardment that has killed thousands of Palestinians.
No big bombings, artillery strikes or rocket attacks were reported since the temporary truce came into effect, although Hamas and Israel both accused each other of sporadic shootings and other violations.
Hamas confirmed that all hostilities from its forces would cease, but the group’s spokesperson stressed that this was a “temporary truce”.
The Israeli military also said fighting would resume soon, adding that Palestinians should not try to return to homes in the northern part of Gaza.