The US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation did not give out any aid today as it pressed Israel to boost civilian safety beyond the perimeter of its distribution sites, after dozens of Palestinians seeking aid were killed this week.
The GHF said it has asked the Israeli military to "guide foot traffic in a way that minimises confusion or escalation risks" near military positions, develop clearer guidance for civilians, and enhance training to support civilian safety.
Hospital officials have said more than 80 people were shot dead and hundreds wounded near distribution points in a three-day period from Sunday, including at least 27 killed yesterday.
Locals say Israeli soldiers opened fire on the crowds, who mass before dawn to seek food.
Watch: Deaths reported after Israeli airstrike on Khan Younis
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The military has denied this, but acknowledged yesterday that soldiers had fired at "suspects" who had ignored warning shots and were approaching their lines.
"Our top priority remains ensuring the safety and dignity of civilians receiving aid," said a GHF spokesperson.
An Israeli military spokesperson warned civilians against moving into areas leading to GHF sites today, deeming them "combat zones".
The new aid distribution process for Gaza's two million-plus population from just three sites was launched in the midst of a fierce new offensive by Israel since late last month.
The UN and other aid groups say the model, which uses private US security and logistics workers, militarises aid.
The Gaza health ministry said Israeli strikes had killed at least 95 Palestinians in the past 24 hours, including women and children at a school housing displaced families that was hit near the southern city of Khan Younis.
Israel announced that one of its soldiers had died in the fighting after three deaths were reported a day earlier, as its forces continued their months-long battle to eliminate Hamas militants and free the remaining hostages still held in Gaza.
Meanwhile, the UN Security Council is set to vote later on a demand for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and humanitarian access across Gaza, where malnutrition is widespread and aid has only trickled in since Israel lifted an 11-week blockade in late May.
"It is unacceptable. Civilians are risking – and in several instances losing – their lives just trying to get food," UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said, adding that the aid distribution model backed by the US and Israel was "all a recipe for disaster, which is exactly what is going on".
The newly created GHF said that it has given out more than seven million meals since it started operations a week ago.
GHF Interim Executive Director John Acree urged humanitarians in Gaza: "Work with us and we will get your aid delivered to those who are depending on it."
Read more: Gaza aid: What is getting in and who is distributing it?
Experts say Gaza's entire population is at risk of famine despite successive efforts to boost aid.
Jordan last year spearheaded humanitarian air drops, while the US briefly installed a floating aid pier, but it was beset by challenges.
The UN has long-blamed Israel and lawlessness in the enclave for hindering the delivery of aid into Gaza and its distribution throughout the war zone.
Israel accuses Hamas of stealing aid, which the group denies.
The ten elected members of the UN Security Council have asked for the 15-member body to vote later on a draft resolution that demands "an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza respected by all parties".
The draft text, seen by Reuters, also demands the release of all hostages held by Hamas and others, and the immediate lifting of all restrictions on the entry of aid and its safe and unhindered distribution, including by the UN, throughout Gaza.
"The time to act has already passed," Slovenia's UN Ambassador Samuel Zbogar told Reuters. "It is our historical responsibility not to remain silent."
As US President Donald Trump's administration tries to broker a ceasefire in Gaza, it was not immediately clear if the US would veto the draft text, as it traditionally has done with resolutions not to Israel's liking.
Israel has rejected calls for an unconditional or permanent ceasefire, saying Hamas cannot be allowed to remain in Gaza.
A spokesperson for the US mission to the UN said: "We cannot preview our actions currently under consideration."
A resolution needs nine votes in favour and no vetoes by the permanent members, the United States, Russia, China, Britain or France, to pass.
The war in Gaza has raged since 2023 after Hamas militants killed 1,200 people in Israel in a 7 October attack and took some 250 hostages back to the enclave, according to Israeli tallies.
Many of those killed or captured were civilians.
Israel responded with a military campaign that has killed over 54,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities.
They do not distinguish between fighters and non-combatants but say civilians have borne the brunt of the attacks and that thousands more bodies have been lost under rubble.
'Continuing deterioration of conditions'
James Elder, UNICEF's Gaza spokesperson, says there is a continuing deterioration of conditions in Gaza.
"It's the same, denials of food, enforced starvation, and people being bombed whilst they try to hide somewhere.
"Everywhere we go people are tapping on the window looking for help. I've seen teenage boys crying while they ask for help," he said on RTÉ's Today with Claire Byrne.
Mr Elder said that the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation is a "veneer" and a distraction from the real situation on the ground.
"A very effective aid system during the ceasefire was 500, 600 trucks a day and 400 distribution points. This is a number of pallets, and it's two distribution points."
In addition, no one knew about the closures of Gaza humanitarian aid sites today and people have been walking up to 20 kilometres to try and avail of aid, Mr Elder said.
He added that people have told him "it is like the Hunger Games around aid points" because people are so desperate.
"It's militarising aid. It's politicising aid," he said.
Mr Elder said UNICEF is still getting some trucks in but that it is "just not enough" and a fraction of what is needed.
"However, we have hundreds of trucks on the border," he said.
The war in Gaza has raged since 2023 after Hamas militants killed 1,200 people in Israel in an 7 October attack and took some 250 hostages back to the enclave, according to Israeli tallies.
Israel responded with a military campaign that has killed over 54,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities.
