The World Health Organization has warned malnutrition has reached "alarming levels" in Gaza with rates on a "dangerous trajectory", as aid airdrops resumed in the Strip.

Jordan said it had worked with the United Arab Emirates and dropped 25 tonnes of aid into Gaza on Sunday after Israel began what it called a "tactical pause" in fighting.

Israel had said it would halt military operations for 10 hours a day in parts of Gaza and allow aid corridors for UN convoys, to "refute the false claim of intentional starvation". Hamas accused it of "whitewashing its image".

UN aid chief Tom Fletcher confirmed on Sunday that some movement restrictions appeared to have been eased by Israel.

In a statement, reported by the Reuters news agency, Fletcher said that initial reports indicated that more than 100 truckloads of aid were collected from crossings to be transported into Gaza.

"This is progress," he said, "but vast amounts of aid are needed to stave off famine and a catastrophic health crisis."