Gaza Humanitarian Foundation aid distribution site closed on Wednesday, group says

The scandal-plagued Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) said on its Facebook page late on Tuesday that Palestinians should not head to its aid distribution site in Rafah on Wednesday, as it will be closed for "renovations, organization, and efficiency improvements".

"Due to ongoing upgrades, entry into distribution center areas is strictly prohibited! Please avoid visiting the site and adhere to general instructions. Operations will resume on Thursday," the post said. 

In a separate post on Facebook a few minutes prior, GHF said it "distributed 20,160 food parcels, equivalent to 1,159,200 meals" on Tuesday. 

According to local health officials, at least 27 Palestinians trying to retrieve those meals were killed by Israeli forces on site, and dozens more were wounded.

Israel insisted that Palestinians rushed the site and caused chaos. 

In its statement, GHF wrote: "We understand your need, but we ask that you do not rush into the sites or bring vehicles, donkey carts, or bicycles. This is to maintain order and cooperate with the staff coming to serve you as you arrive at the distribution centers. Chaos and rush disrupt the flow of work and lead to the closure of centers for maintenance and repair, as happened at two of our sites."

Gaza has been sealed off entirely by Israel since early March, and there is a famine underway in the enclave, multiple human rights watchdogs have said.