US advisers say they are working to set up “safe zones” behind Israeli lines where Gazans can seek refuge from Hamas violence.

Violent clashes erupted between Hamas and rival groups after the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) pulled back to a “yellow line” as part of a ceasefire and prisoner swap deal secured by Donald Trump.

In an update on progress, senior US advisers said work continued on the peace plan and on returning the bodies of dead Israeli hostages.

“Obviously there have been a lot of reports in Gaza of Hamas killing and going after Palestinian civilians,” said one adviser during briefing call with reporters on Wednesday evening.

“That’s something that we’ve been working with mediators to send a message to say we’d really like to see that stop, as well as the US working with Israel to try and create some space in safe zones behind the yellow line for people who feel under threat to be able to go to.”

Hamas and Israel agreed last week to a ceasefire, the return of hostages from Gaza, and the withdrawal of the IDF from much of Gaza.

However, excitement has given way to concern among some Israeli families that Hamas has not honoured its part of the deal by failing to return bodies and to horror at video of gunmen apparently executing rivals.

Mr Trump said he would allow Israeli forces to resume the fight if Hamas failed to uphold its end of the deal.

“Israel will return to those streets as soon as I say the word,” he told CNN, in an effort to keep up pressure on the terrorist group.

His advisers said they believed Hamas was doing what it could to return bodies, but was hampered by the intense destruction of the territory.