Palestinian health officials and the local ambulance service say Israeli airstrikes and gunfire have killed at least 42 people in 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.

Twenty-one months into Israel’s war in Gaza, the enclave is gripped by escalating scenes of death and hunger, with some killed while trying to reach aid, others dying of starvation and growing condemnation of Israel’s conduct even among many of its closest allies.

News agencies including AFP, AP, BBC and Reuters issued a joint statement about Gaza journalists unable to feed themselves amid deteriorating humanitarian conditions on Thursday.

Amichay Eliyahu’s comments came amid growing hunger in the territory, where Israel controls the delivery of food.

For years, Gazans haven’t had free access to this precious natural resource. Israeli limits on fishing activities have fluctuated with tensions with Hamas, with limits of just three nautical miles and even previous total bans on fishing imposed at times.

Hamas has reportedly taken steps to fend off possible Israeli military plans aimed at rescuing the 50 remaining hostages in Gaza.

Appearing on Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips, Bob Geldof said this month, a thousand children or people have died of starvation.