Palestinian health officials and witnesses say at least four people were killed and others were wounded by Israeli fire around a kilometre (half-mile) from an aid distribution point in the Gaza Strip run by an Israeli and US-backed group.

Israel's military said it fired warning shots at people who approached its forces.

The bodies were brought to Nasser Hospital in Gaza's southern city of Khan Younis, which confirmed the toll.

Palestinian witnesses said Israeli forces had fired on them at a roundabout in the nearby city of Rafah as they went to get food from a site run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF).

The Israeli military said it fired warning shots at people it said were suspects who had advanced toward its forces and ignored warnings to turn away.

It said the shooting occurred in an area in southern Gaza that is considered an active combat zone at night.

The GHF did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Witnesses said Sunday's shooting occurred at around 6 a.m., when they were told the site would open.

Many had headed toward it early to try and get desperately needed food before the crowds.

Adham Dahman, 30, who was at Nasser Hospital with a bandage on his chin, said a tank had fired toward them.

Zahed Ben Hassan, another witness, said someone next to him was shot in the head.

He said that he and others pulled the body from the scene and managed to flee to the hospital.

Hazem Jorani, whose brother was among those killed said he had begged him not to go to get aid, but he had been desperate to get food for is six children.

The past two weeks have seen frequent shootings near the new hubs where thousands of desperate Palestinians are being directed to collect food.

The hubs are set up inside Israeli military zones - where independent media have no access — and are run by GHF, a new group of mainly American contractors.

Israel wants it to replace a system coordinated by the United Nations and international aid groups.

Israel and the US accuse the militant Hamas group of stealing aid, while the UN denies there is any systematic diversion.

The UN says the new system is unable to meet mounting needs and allows Israel to use aid as a weapon by determining who can receive it and forcing people to relocate to where the aid sites are positioned.

AP video by Mariam Dagga

Produced by Wafaa Shurafa