Israel's military has begun a limited pause in fighting in three populated areas of Gaza for 10 hours a day as part of measures including airdrops as concerns grow over surging hunger.

Israel has announced a daily “tactical pause in military activity” in three areas of Gaza to enable more aid to reach people, amid growing international outrage over starvation in the territory.

Operations in three parts of the enclave were temporarily halted on Sunday to allow more aid to enter the territory, the Israeli military said. It was unclear if the decision would relieve the hunger crisis in Gaza.