GAZA - At least 12 Palestinians were killed on Sunday by Israeli airstrikes and gunfire across the Gaza Strip, including civilians near humanitarian aid distribution sites, according to local health officials.

The aid system rolled out last month has been marred by chaos and violence, while the UN system has struggled to deliver food because of Israeli restrictions and a breakdown of law and order, despite Israel loosening a total blockade it imposed from early March to mid-May.

At least 27 Palestinians were killed near a Gaza food distribution hub operated by a controversial U.S.-backed group, the enclave's Hamas-run health ministry says.

The war began when Hamas-led fighters attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking 251 hostage. They are still holding 53 captives, less than half of them believed to be alive, after most of the rest were released in ceasefire agreements or other deals.