Israeli gunfire and airstrikes killed more than 50 Palestinians in Gaza on Saturday, including some who were waiting overnight for aid, according to local health officials, continuing a pattern that has drawn international criticism as the country’s “drip-feeding of aid” into the enclave continues to claim lives.

Overnight Friday and into Saturday, Israeli airstrikes and gunfire killed at least 42 people, the AP reported. Dozens were shot at waiting for aid trucks near the Zikim crossing, in northern Gaza. Israel's military said it fired warning shots to distance a crowd "in response to an immediate threat" and it was not aware of any casualties.

Israel has long restricted aid to Gaza on the argument that Hamas steals it to use as a weapon of control over the population. On Saturday, the Israeli military announced new airdrops of aid.

The United Nations and experts say that Palestinians in Gaza are at risk of famine, with reports of increasing numbers of people dying from causes related to malnutrition.

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) says the air drops "might help" but notes that the "most vulnerable" in Gaza would still struggle to access essential supplies.

Prime Minister Mark Carney is calling for Israel’s control of aid distribution to be replaced amid reports of mass starvation in Gaza.

July 26 (Reuters) - Israel will resume airdrop aid to Gaza on Saturday night, the Israeli military said, a few days after more than 100 aid agencies warned that mass starvation was spreading across the enclave.

"The humanitarian catastrophe that we are witnessing in Gaza must end now," a joint statement from the three countries reads.