The reopening of the Rafah border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt, part of US President Donald Trump's plan for the Palestinian territory, remains on hold despite calls from the UN and aid groups.

An Israeli security official said Sunday the transfer of humanitarian aid into Gaza is halted “until further notice” after a Hamas ceasefire violation.

“The number of people registering to return to Gaza is very big,” Naji al-Naji, cultural counselor at the embassy, told The Associated Press without saying how many.

Israel announced it has begun "reinforcing" the ceasefire in Gaza hours after conducting deadly strikes in the city of Rafah. The attacks mark the first airstrikes Israel have launched since a US-brokered truce came into force late last week.

Hamas has accused Israel of violating the ceasefire after at least 11 people were killed when Israeli troops opened fire on a vehicle, according to Gaza's Civil Defence Service.

“Hamas will pay a heavy price for every shooting and violation of the ceasefire, and if the message is not understood, the intensity of our responses will continue to increase,” Katz said in a statem...