Six killed by Israel near Gaza aid Zone, Hamas Officials Say

Six Palestinians have been killed and several others wounded by Israeli gunfire in the latest incident near an aid distribution center in southern Gaza, the Hamas-run Civil Defense organization says.

People had gathered to collect food on Saturday morning when the shooting began, a spokeswoman for the organization said.

Reports quoting an eyewitness said that the Israelis opened fire as people tried to advance towards the area.

The Israeli army said it fired warning shots at suspects who approached them in a threatening manner. Dozens of Palestinians have been killed and hundreds injured trying to reach a distribution center this week.

The US- and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Fund (GHF) which runs the facility says it has suspended its operations to deal with overcrowding and enhance security.

But people have been gathering almost daily at a roundabout on the edge of the Israeli military zone, which they have to pass through to reach the aid area.

In a statement, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said it had told Gazans that the area was a night-time fighting zone.

The GHF said it was unable to distribute food on Saturday due to threats from Hamas, a claim the group has denied.