Palestinians say Israeli forces opened fire on people trying to access a U.S.-backed group's aid distribution hub in Gaza, in the deadliest of such incidents reported to date.

Health officials say at least eight Palestinians were killed and dozens more were wounded in the latest shooting near Israeli- and U.S.-supported food distribution points in Gaza.

The Israeli military said it fired warning shots at people it referred to as suspects who it said had advanced toward its troops hundreds of yards from the aid site prior to its opening hours.