Abu Ubaida, the spokesperson for Hamas’ armed wing, later referred to “this temporary truce” in a video message that called for an “escalation of the confrontation with (Israel) on all resistance fronts”, including the Israeli-occupied West Bank where violence has surged since the Gaza crisis erupted almost seven weeks ago.

According to Reuters, Israel’s military said its troops would stay behind a ceasefire line inside Gaza, without giving details of its position. “These will be complicated days and nothing is certain,” Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari said.

“Control over northern Gaza is the first step of a long war, and we are preparing for the next stages,” he added. Israel had received an initial list of hostages to be freed and was in touch with families, the prime minister’s office said.