An Israel- and US-backed mechanism to distribute food in Gaza suspended operations for a day and a half following a series of deadly incidents near its sites that drew international criticism.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul criticized Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip at a press conference with his Israeli counterpart Gideon Saar in Berlin on Thursday, again calling for more humanitarian aid to be allowed into the enclave.

The new operation is intended to bypass both the United Nations and Hamas, but aid groups say even if it works as intended, it is dangerously inadequate.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel has “activated” some clans of Palestinians in Gaza that are opposed to Hamas, though it was not immediately clear what role they would play

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has closed its aid distribution sites for the day, without giving a date on when they would open again.

Yasser Abu Shabab, who once looted humanitarian aid, now controls a small slice of territory in southern Gaza.