Most of Saturday's deaths occurred as Palestinians massed in the Teina area, about three kilometres from an aid distribution centre backed by the U.S. and Israel, near the southern city of Khan Younis.

It was a massacre … the occupation opened fire at us indiscriminately,” said Mahmoud Mokeimar, an eyewitness who was walking with masses of people toward a food hub.

Israeli troops opened fire on Gazans seeking food aid in the territory, killing at least 32 people, the Palestinian health ministry and witnesses said.