India, July 19 -- Amid the rubble and hunger of war-torn southern Gaza, desperation turned deadly on Saturday as at least 32 Palestinians were shot dead when Israeli forces opened fire on crowds scrambling for food near aid distribution points, according to witnesses and hospital officials.

The chaos unfolded near centres run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a US and Israeli-backed initiative launched in May as an alternative to the traditional UN-led relief network, which Israel accuses of being infiltrated by Hamas. The UN has categorically denied the claim.

While GHF says it has delivered millions of meals, Palestinian witnesses and local health authorities say hundreds have been killed by Israeli gunfire while simply tryin...