A ceasefire between Israel and the Islamist Hamas movement that runs the Gaza Strip appeared to be holding on Thursday, - BBC reported.

Israel radio said some rockets had been fired from Gaza, but there was no sign of an Israeli response.

Overnight, thousands of Gaza residents poured on to the streets to celebrate, waving flags and setting off fireworks.

The UN Security Council has called on Israel and Hamas to uphold the agreement, brokered by Egypt.

Overnight, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) said it had arrested 55 "terror operatives" in the West Bank, including some at a senior level, in an effort to "restore calm".

There have been a number of protests in the West Bank in the past week against Israel's Pillar of Defence operation, with some protesters clashing with Israeli soldiers.