Palestinian health officials and the local ambulance service say Israeli airstrikes and gunfire have killed at least 42 people in Gaza.

Footage appears to show the moment Israeli forces intercept an aid ship heading for Gaza on Saturday evening (26 July). The Freedom Flotilla Coalition released a statement saying its civilian vessel Handala was intercepted about 40 miles from Gaza on Saturday.

According to staff at the Shifa hospital, most of the victims were killed by gunfire as they waited for aid trucks close to the Zikim crossing with Israel.View on euronews

Israel’s military said it fired warning shots to distance a crowd “in response to an immediate threat” and it was not aware of any casualties.

Twenty-one months into Israel’s war in Gaza, the enclave is gripped by escalating scenes of death and hunger, with some killed while trying to reach aid, others dying of starvation and growing condemnation of Israel’s conduct even among many of its closest allies.

Amichay Eliyahu’s comments came amid growing hunger in the territory, where Israel controls the delivery of food.

Hamas has reportedly taken steps to fend off possible Israeli military plans aimed at rescuing the 50 remaining hostages in Gaza.

For years, Gazans haven’t had free access to this precious natural resource. Israeli limits on fishing activities have fluctuated with tensions with Hamas, with limits of just three nautical miles and even previous total bans on fishing imposed at times.