crowds and forced to close on Thursday, and armed looters attacked an aid convoy overnight - sparking a firefight with Hamas security officials who, witnesses say, were then targeted by an Israeli drone strike. The incident in central Gaza, recounted to BBC News by eyewitnesses, local journalists and Hamas officials, underscores the deteriorating security situation in Gaza, where governance has collapsed and lawlessness has spread.

A convoy of 20 trucks, co-ordinated by the World Food Programme (WFP) and carrying flour, was en route from the Kerem Shalom crossing to a WFP warehouse in the city of Deir al-Balah. It was being escorted by six Hamas security officers when it was ambushed by five unidentified gunmen, who fired at the tires of the vehicles and tried to seize the cargo.

The Hamas security team engaged the attackers in a brief firefight, witnesses told BBC News. Shortly after the clash began, Israeli drones targeted the Hamas unit with four missiles, killing six officers and wounding others. Hamas issued a statement condemning the attack as "a horrific massacre" and accused Israel of deliberately targeting personnel tasked with protecting humanitarian aid. In a statement, the IDF said one of its aircraft identified "several gunmen, including Hamas terrorists", near humanitarian aid trucks in central Gaza and "struck the gunmen following the identification". The IDF said it would make "all efforts possible to ensure that the humanitarian aid does not reach the hands of terrorist organizations". A small amount of food has been allowed to cross into Gaza this week: around 130 lorries carrying aid have crossed the border in the last three days, after an 11-week blockade was partly lifted by the IDF. (BBC)