Temporary truce set to begin, followed by release of Hamas captives and detained Palestinians 

The time in Gaza is now just past 7 am, meaning that the start of the four-day truce between Israel and Hamas has begun.

The pause in fighting comes after a one-day delay and will see captives held in Gaza be released in exchange for the release of Palestinian women and children detained in Israeli prisons.

In the last few hours before the truce went into effect, Israeli bombardment of Gaza intensified to some of its highest levels since 7 October. One such strike killed at least 27 people in a UN school.

So far, Al Jazeera Arabic is reporting no signs of firing or air strikes since the truce began.

As we at MEE continue monitoring the halt in fighting, here are some stories you can read about the truce:

• Anxious Palestinian families await children's release from prison

• Israel and Hamas agree to exchange prisoners as part of four-day 'truce'

• 'We badly need this break': Gaza truce offers Palestinians the chance to sleep, eat and recover