Israeli troops shot and killed a Hamas-linked militant in a West Bank raid this morning, casting a cloud over a day-old truce that ended more than five months of fighting in the Gaza Strip.

A ceasefire in the Gaza Strip appeared to be holding this morning, stopping Palestinian rocket fire and Israeli operations for the first time in five months.

Rocket fire from the Gaza Strip at Israel died down today after a ceasefire, giving hope the truce might end five months of bloody destruction and open a path towards peace talks.