GAZA — Israeli troops opened fire Saturday on crowds of Palestinians approaching food distribution centers in southern Gaza, killing at least 32 people, according to witnesses and local health officials.

The shootings occurred near aid hubs operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a U.S.- and Israeli-backed group attempting to replace the United Nations' traditional aid delivery system in the besieged enclave.

The deadliest incident took place in the Teina area, about three kilometers east of Khan Younis, where hundreds of Palestinians had gathered at dawn, hoping to secure food.

Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene as troops, stationed at a distance, fired warning shots before launching what they called “indiscriminate fire.”

“It was a massacre,” said Mahmoud Mokeimar, a witness who escaped the shooting.

“The occupation opened fire at us without warning. I saw people fall one after another.”

Another survivor, Akram Aker, said gunfire came from Israeli tanks and drones as the crowd approached. “They encircled us and opened fire between 5 and 6 a.m.,” he said.

Sanaa al-Jaberi, 55, said she was among those trying to reach food: “We shouted ‘food, food,’ but they didn’t talk. They just opened fire.”

Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis confirmed receiving 25 bodies and dozens of injured, many with bullet wounds to the head and chest.

In a separate incident in the Shakoush area north of Rafah, seven others were killed while approaching another GHF site, according to hospital and health ministry sources.

Meanwhile, two Palestinians were also killed in Gaza City in an Israeli airstrike that hit a tent sheltering displaced families.

The Israeli military confirmed firing “warning shots” near Rafah after what it described as a group of suspects approached troops and ignored warnings to stay back. It said the incident took place overnight, before the aid centers opened.

The GHF denied any shooting occurred at or near its sites, claiming the incidents were “far from our centers and occurred hours before operations began.”

It also warned Palestinians against arriving at sites in the early morning or overnight hours.

Despite its claims, GHF operations have been criticized for chaos and lack of safety. Witnesses say aid is often left on the ground, sparking panicked rushes. Videos obtained by the Associated Press show contractors using tear gas, stun grenades, and warning shots to disperse hungry crowds.

Saturday’s deadly shootings follow weeks of rising frustration over GHF’s role in Gaza. Backed by Washington and Tel Aviv, the foundation was launched in May to bypass the U.N. aid system, which both governments claim has been infiltrated by Hamas. The U.N. has strongly denied the accusation and criticized the GHF’s operations.

The father of one victim, Monzer Fesifes, blamed U.S. and Israeli efforts for the tragedy. “My son Hisham went to get food from this failed American-Zionist project, and now he’s dead,” he said, pleading with Jordan to evacuate his family from Gaza.

Health officials say the Nasser Hospital is overwhelmed and lacks critical medical supplies. Dr. Mohamed Saker, head of the hospital’s nursing department, said most of Saturday’s casualties were in critical condition. “The situation is tragic,” he told the AP.

Meanwhile, the Israeli military said it struck 90 targets across Gaza in the past 24 hours, including alleged militant positions in Gaza City and the north.

Gaza’s humanitarian crisis continues to deepen. Food insecurity experts warn of famine as over 2 million Palestinians face severe shortages. An Israeli offensive that began in response to Hamas' October 2023 attack has killed over 58,000 Palestinians, displaced nearly the entire population, and devastated Gaza’s infrastructure.

Efforts to reach a ceasefire continue in Qatar, but negotiators say there have been no breakthroughs. — Agencies