Gazans caught up in violence seeking food, and the U.N. agency tasked with helping them, say a U.S.-backed aid effort is "costing more lives than it saves."

Palestinian witnesses and health officials say Israeli forces have repeatedly opened fire on crowds heading to the aid sites for desperately needed food, killing hundreds in recent weeks.

Israeli forces and drones have opened fire toward hundreds of people waiting for aid trucks in central Gaza, killing at least 25 people, Palestinian witnesses and hospitals said, as health authorities have said the number of Palestinians killed in the war has risen above 56,