Gaza food hub stops operations for second day as access routes remain ‘combat zones’

Extended closure said to be for maintenance and follows deaths of at least 27 people killed by Israeli troops near distribution site

A US-backed group operating food distribution sites in Gaza has announced that its operations would be suspended for a second day on Thursday, due to maintenance and repair work", as the Israeli army warned that roads leading to distribution centres were considered combat zones".

After Israeli troops opened fire on a crowd of Palestinians, killing at least 27 and injuring hundreds, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) pressed Israel to improve civilian safety beyond the perimeter of its distribution sites.