The fragile ceasefire in Gaza faced its first major test Sunday as Israel stopped the transfer of aid and launched a wave of strikes, after it said its soldier came under fire from Hamas.

Hamas and Israel accuse each other of violations, as hospital sources in Gaza say death toll reaches 44 and IDF says two soldiers killed.

Israel has accused Hamas of attacking Israeli forces in southern Gaza with the military carrying out airstrikes in the city of Rafah, the first major test of the US-brokered ceasefire.

Israel on Sunday struck targets in southern Gaza after saying its troops came under fire from Hamas militants, in the first major test of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire meant to halt more than two years of war.

Hamas and Israel accuse each other of violating the peace deal, while hospital sources in Gaza say 44 people have been killed.

The fighting is the gravest test yet to the Gaza ceasefire and is dimming hopes that the U.S.-mediated truce would lead to a lasting peace.

The Israeli Defense Forces said it struck “dozens” of targets in Gaza, about one week after the ceasefire went into effect.

The Israeli military on Sunday said it is to begin the "renewed enforcement of the ceasefire" in Gaza after striking targets in the territory in response to attacks on its troops by the Palestinian militant group Hamas.