Ceasefire between Israel and Hamas comes into effect ahead of expected Gaza hostage release

Mediator Qatar says operations room in Doha will monitor the truce in seven-week war and the exchange of first group of Israeli hostages for jailed Palestinians

• Israel-Hamas war: latest updates

The ceasefire in Gaza between Israel and Hamas came into effect on Friday at 7am, ahead of the expected release of the first group of Israeli hostages held by the militant Islamist organisation in return for Palestinians imprisoned by Israel.

Underlining the fragility of the four day pause in hostilities, an alert sounded in Israel at 7.15am local time warning of a possible incoming rocket from Gaza targeting a village in southern Israel.