Jerusalem: The Israeli military said on Sunday that two of its soldiers were killed in combat in southern Gaza, as fighting flared in the region despite an ongoing ceasefire.

Major Yaniv Kula, 26, and Staff Sergeant Itay Yavetz, 21, “fell during combat in the southern Gaza Strip,” the army said — marking the first Israeli fatalities since the truce took effect on October 10.

The fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas faced a serious test as Israeli forces launched a wave of strikes following what they said was a Hamas violation of the agreement. An Israeli security official said the transfer of humanitarian aid into Gaza was being halted “until further notice.”

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity pending a formal announcement, said the suspension comes just over a week after the US-brokered ceasefire aimed at ending two years of war.

Earlier on Sunday, Israel’s military said its troops had come under fire from Hamas militants in southern Gaza. According to Palestinian health officials, at least 19 people were killed in Israeli strikes across central and southern parts of the territory.

The Israeli army said it had struck “dozens of Hamas targets” in response.

A senior Egyptian official involved in ceasefire negotiations said “round-the-clock” talks were underway to de-escalate the situation. The official spoke anonymously as he was not authorised to brief the media.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while calling for “strong action” against any ceasefire violations, stopped short of threatening a full return to war.