Fierce fighting continues in a rebel-held area of Syria - despite a temporary ceasefire. Since the 'pause' went into effect - there have been reports of shelling along a corridor in Eastern Ghouta that was supposed to be a way out for trapped civilians. Alaa Ebrahim reports.

The first day, of what was supposed to involve a pause in fighting for humanitarian purposes, is over, and nothing positive has really been achieved. Russia was looking to establish safe exit corridors, and halt the fighting for a five-hour window every day, to give trapped civilians a safe passage out of the warzone. But as the day ended, no civilians had left. The Syrian army, which is manning the crossing point, told CGTN the rebels fired several mortars down on civilians who were trying to leave. The government has often accused the rebels of using civilians as human shields.

FAISAL MEKDAD SYRIAN DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER "We believe that creating favorable conditions for the people of eastern Ghouta to leave for safe places is the way to implement international legitimacy and allow the Syrian forces to get rid of these terrorist elements that have taken civilians hostages for many years."

The rebels, on the other hand, had a different plan. On Tuesday, a spokesman for Jaish Al-Islam -- one of the three main factions inside the embattled enclave -- told CGTN they would agree to an arrangement in which militants from Al-Qaeda's affiliate in Syria would be evacuated in exchange for a 15-day ceasefire. The same source said that forcing civilians out of their homes was never part of the UN Security Council's resolution. Rather, it called for the evacuation of the sick and wounded only, as well as allowing humanitarian aid in, and accused the government of not abiding by UNSC resolution 2401.

ALAA EBRAHIM DAMASCUS "Buses carrying civilians out of eastern Ghouta were supposed to travel down this road, bringing families to safety after days of relentless fighting, but that never happened. Syrian officials say the civilians will come out at some point, and when they do, the Syrian military says retaking Ghouta will only take a matter of days. Alaa Ebrahim - CGTN - Damascus."