Israel slowed its Gaza offensive on Saturday after US President Donald Trump demanded it stop bombing in response to a declaration by Hamas that it was ready to free hostages under his plan to end the two-year-old war.

Despite a relatively quieter start to the day compared to recent weeks, at least 21 people were killed in bombardments and air strikes in the devastated Palestinian enclave since Trump demanded Israel halt its attacks late on Friday.

Eleven people died in sporadic incidents, while 10 people, including children, were killed and several others wounded in an Israeli strike on a house in the Tuffah neighbourhood in Gaza City, medical workers said. The attack damaged several other buildings nearby.

Earlier, the Gaza health ministry said in a morning update that Israeli fire killed at least 66 Palestinians across the enclave in the past 24 hours.

On Saturday, Trump said he appreciated that Israel had “temporarily stopped the bombing”, and he urged Hamas, the Palestinian militant group that controls Gaza, to move quickly on his plan “or else all bets will be off”.

“I will not tolerate delay, which many think will happen, or any outcome where Gaza poses a threat again. Let’s get this done, FAST. Everyone will be treated fairly!” Trump said on social media.