Hundreds of Palestinians have been killed in recent days as Israel has intensified air strikes, the Hamas-run health ministry says.

Limited humanitarian aid has started entering Gaza after Israel's 11-week blockade, but the UN said none has yet reached civilians due, in part, to logistical hurdles imposed by Israeli authorities.

A U.S.-backed organization aims to start work in the Gaza Strip by the end of May overseeing a new model of aid distribution in the Palestinian enclave, but the United Nations says the plan is not impartial or neutral,

The Israeli PM says if there is an opportunity for a temporary ceasefire and a hostage release deal, Israel will be open to this.

The United Arab Emirates said on Tuesday it agreed with Israel to allow delivery of urgent humanitarian aid from the Gulf country to Gaza, the state news agency WAM reported.