Aid groups ready to move in when Gaza ceasefire begins

Palestinians look at destruction by the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip in Rafah (Hatem Ali/AP)

International aid groups that have lined up thousands of aid lorries for Gaza say they are ready to move quickly to send in food, water and other supplies if a pause in fighting between Hamas and Israel takes hold as hoped on Thursday.

Details remain unclear about both the mechanics of getting more aid for beleaguered Palestinians in Gaza and the possible release of hostages kidnapped from Israel whose families have desperately sought their release.