Israel downs weapons for seven-hour humanitarian ceasefire

Israeli troops have begun observing a unilateral seven-hour humanitarian lull in most of the Gaza Strip, which began at 5pm (AEST).

But Hamas, the de facto rulers of Gaza, said they would not be reciprocating the lull and warned people "to take the utmost caution" when venturing out.

The army said the temporary truce would take place everywhere except to the east of Rafah on the Egyptian border where troops were still present and clashes were ongoing.