As the Egyptian brokered Israel Gaza ceasefire came into play last night, both sides celebrated this fantastic news. Thousands of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip took to the streets honking their cars and firing celebratory shots into the air. They also marched to Shiffa Hospital to visit the wounded.

The deal prevented, at least for the moment, an Israeli ground invasion of the Palestinian enclave following bombing and rocket fire that killed five Israelis and 162 Gazans, including 37 children. Israeli ground troops can be seen leaving positions along the Gaza border. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had agreed to the truce, but told his people a tougher approach might be required in the future. While the exiled leader of Hamas, Khaled Meshaal, said his movement would respect the truce if Israel did, but would respond to any violations.

If the truce holds, it will give the 1.7 million Gazans respite from days of ferocious air strikes and halt rocket salvoes from militants that have unnerved a million people in southern Israel and reached Tel Aviv and Jerusalem for the first time.

I am Ann Salter thanks for watching. Stay tuned for the latest news and updates with me at ibtimes.co.uk

Written and presented by Ann Salter