The local pause in fighting came days after ceasefire efforts between Israel and Hamas appeared to be in doubt.

Dozens of Palestinians were killed, many while waiting for food aid, amid a deepening starvation crisis and despite Israeli assurances of a humanitarian pause in some areas of the territory.

The German government observes a "initial slight progress in humanitarian aid for the population in the Gaza Strip," according to spokesman Stefan Kornelius on Saturday, though he noted it remains insufficient to alleviate the emergency.