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.

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.

Gaza health officials and the ambulance service say at least 25 people were killed by Israeli airstrikes and gunshots overnight as ceasefire talks appear to have stalled and Palestinians in Gaza are facing famine.

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

Plus: Hundreds of people have been killed in recent weeks trying to reach food, mostly in mass shootings by Israeli soldiers.