Palestinian health officials said at least five people were killed and others were wounded by Israeli fire as they headed toward two aid distribution points in the Gaza Strip run by an Israeli and US-backed group.

Palestinian witnesses there said Israeli forces had fired on them at a roundabout that is around a kilometre from a site run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation in the nearby city of Rafah.  

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. It said the shooting occurred in an area in southern Gaza that is considered an active combat zone at night.