On Saturday, Israeli troops fired shots at groups of Palestinians who were gathering around food distribution centers in southern Gaza, operated by a group supported by the US and Israel. This resulted in the deaths of at least 32 individuals, as reported by witnesses and hospital authorities.

The shootings occurred near hubs operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which launched operations in May.

The US and Israel aim to replace the existing UN-led system for aid distribution in Gaza, claiming that Hamas militants divert supplies. However, the UN refutes this claim.

Gaza’s population of more than 2 million Palestinians are in a catastrophic humanitarian crisis. Distribution at GHF sites is often chaotic.

Boxes of food are stacked on the ground and crowds surge in to grab whatever they can, according to witnesses and videos released by GHF.

The conflict, now lasting 21 months, began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants attacked southern Israel, causing approximately 1200 deaths and taking 251 hostages. Currently, 50 remain held, though less than half are believed to be alive.

Israel’s military offensive has killed more than 58,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which doesn’t say how many militants are among the dead. The ministry, which says more than half of the dead have been women and children, is part of the Hamas government. But the UN and other international organisations see it as the most reliable source of data on casualties.

Israel and Hamas have been holding ceasefire talks in Qatar, but international mediators say there have been no breakthroughs.

“After 652 days, it is time to do what is right for Israel: Bring all 50 hostages home and end this war,” Efrat Machikawa, a relative of released hostage Gadi Moses, told the weekly rally in Tel Aviv.

Thousands of people later marched to the local branch of the US Embassy to demand a ceasefire deal.