Hamas authorities say 24 killed near Gaza aid distribution centre

Reports from Gaza say that Israeli soldiers have again killed Palestinians near a distribution centre for humanitarian aid.

At least 24 Palestinians were killed near the southern city of Rafah and dozens more were injured on Monday, according to the Gaza health authority, which is controlled by the Islamist movement Hamas.

Israel's military said in the morning that soldiers had identified suspects about half a kilometre from the distribution point who had approached them and posed a threat.

They had deviated from the designated routes to the aid centre while largers crowds of people were using the normal routes.

"After the suspects failed to retreat, additional shots were directed near a few individual suspects who advanced toward the troops," the army statement said.

The army said it did not prevent civilians from reaching the aid distribution centres.

The Palestinian news agency WAFA, citing eyewitnesses, reported attacks on the crowd with artillery fire and fighter planes.

None of the information can currently be independently verified, as foreign journalists are not being allowed into Gaza.

Hamas authorities say dozens of people have been killed near new aid distribution centres operated by the Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation in Gaza which opened last week. Israel has denied many of the reports.

UN Secretary General António Guterres on Monday called for an independent investigation into the deaths, provoking condemnation from Israel.