IDF: Gaza aid centres closed for the day, access to area prohibited

Following reports that Israeli forces killed people near a food distribution site in Gaza, all aid centres in the enclave remain closed on Wednesday, the Israeli military announced.

Avichay Adraee, Arabic spokesman for the Israel Defense Forces, said on X that facilities would remain shut for "renovation, organization and efficiency improvement works," citing the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which runs the aid operations.

The military warned civilians to avoid approaching the centres, declaring the surrounding roads as combat zones. "It is strictly prohibited to enter the distribution centre areas," the spokesman added.

The centres are expected to reopen on Thursday.

The closure comes after the Hamas-run health ministry said Israeli troops opened fire on civilians near a distribution point on Tuesday, killing at least 27 people and wounding about 90.

The Israeli army said its soldiers, stationed about 500 metres from the site, spotted individuals approaching who they deemed a threat. Troops initially fired warning shots before shooting at individual suspects who didn't retreat. The claims could not be independently verified.

The GHF had launched its distribution network just over a week ago after Israel, under international pressure, allowed limited humanitarian access following nearly three months of blockade.