At least four Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire as they were heading to an aid distribution centre, health workers in Gaza have said.The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said troops had directed warning shots after issuing a verbal challenge at a group that was moving towards them and was deemed a threat.

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel is supporting armed groups of Palestinians in Gaza in what it says is a move to counter Hamas. But officials from the U.N. and aid organizations say the military is allowing them to loot food and other supplies from their trucks.

Palestinian witnesses said Israeli forces had fired on them at a roundabout in the nearby city of Rafah as they went to get food from a site run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). The Israeli military said it fired warning shots at people it said were suspects who had advanced toward its forces and ignored warnings to turn away.