A former security contractor for Gaza's controversial new Israel- and US-backed aid distribution sites has told the BBC that he witnessed colleagues opening fire several times on hungry Palestinians who had posed no threat, including with machine guns.

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Airstrikes and shootings killed 94 Palestinians in Gaza overnight, including 45 who were attempting to get much-needed humanitarian aid, hospitals and the Health Ministry said Thursday. Israel’s military did not immediately comment on the strikes.

In the latest news from the conflict between Israel and Hamas, officials in Gaza say more than 100 people have been killed during the last 24 hours – many of them while trying to get hold of humanitarian aid.

At least 94 killed in Gaza overnight as strikes hit aid queues and shelters Israeli airstrikes and shootings killed 94 Palestinians in Gaza overnight, including 45 people who were trying to access desperately needed humanitarian aid,

Israel is intensifying military operations in one of the last Hamas strongholds in Gaza, as the sides stake out positions before ceasefire negotiations proposed by US President Donald Trump.

Israeli officials said prospects for reaching a ceasefire deal and hostage deal appeared high, nearly 21 months since the war between Israel and Hamas began. On the ground, intensified Israeli strikes across Gaza continued unabated,