Charity and aid groups said in a joint statement that more than 500 Palestinians had been killed and almost 4,000 injured in less than four weeks while trying to access or distribute food in Gaza.

The call from some of the world's top aid organisations and charities comes after reports of soldiers killing hundreds of of Palestinians at aid sites.

Israeli forces killed at least 22 people and wounded 20 others, many while attempting to get desperately needed food aid in southern Gaza on Monday, according to witnesses, hospitals, and Gaza’s Health Ministry.