Aid group pauses Gaza ops; UK calls for probe into deaths

At least 80 people have been killed since the aid sites opened last week, including dozens in shootings

- Agencies

GAZA CITY/LONDON: An Israeli-and US-backed group on Wednesday paused food delivery at its three distribution sites in the Gaza Strip after health officials said dozens of Palestinians were killed in a series of shootings near the sites this week.

Meanwhile, the UK government on Wednesday called for an "immediate and independent investigation" into a string of deadly incidents at aid distribution sites in the Gaza Strip this week. Middle East Minister Hamish Falconer said the deaths of Palestinians as they sought food were "deeply disturbing" as he called Israel's new measures for aid delivery "inhumane".

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) said it was in discussions with the Israeli military on better guiding foot traffic near the distribution hubs and enhancing military training procedures to promote safety.

The move came a day after Israeli forces acknowledged opening fire as people headed toward a GHF site in the now mostly uninhabited southern city of Rafah, a military zone off limits to independent media.