Israeli stock and bond prices opened higher while the shekel was slightly weaker against the dollar, after Israel’s government and Hamas agreed to a four-day pause in Gaza fighting, Reuters reports.

The blue chip Tel Aviv 35 index and broader index of 125 shares were up 0.3 per cent in early trading. Government bond prices rose as much as 0.4pc while the shekel slipped 0.2pc to a rate of 3.727 against the US currency.

Under the temporary truce deal, Hamas would release 50 hostages held in Gaza in exchange for 150 Palestinians imprisoned in Israel.