Tel Aviv: The Israeli military announced late Saturday that it will resume airdrops of aid in Gaza, alongside the establishment of humanitarian corridors for United Nations convoys. This decision follows the death of at least 53 people overnight, many of whom were killed by gunfire while waiting for aid trucks.

According to France24.com, the announcement came amid mounting reports of starvation-related fatalities in Gaza, following months of expert warnings about an impending famine. International criticism has intensified, including from Israel's close allies, as several hundred Palestinians have been killed in recent weeks while attempting to access aid.

The military's statement did not specify when the humanitarian corridors for U.N. convoys would become operational or their locations. Furthermore, the military expressed its readiness to implement humanitarian pauses in densely populated areas.

Hospital staff at Shifa hospital reported that most victims were killed by gunfire as they waited near the Zikim crossing with Israel. The Israeli army has not responded to requests for comments regarding the recent shootings.

In addition to those killed at the crossing, strikes have resulted in casualties, including four people in an apartment building in Gaza City, according to hospital staff and the ambulance service.

The strikes occurred as ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas have stalled, following the withdrawal of U.S. and Israeli negotiating teams last Thursday, casting doubt on the future of the talks. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Friday that his government was considering alternative options to the ceasefire negotiations with Hamas. Meanwhile, a Hamas official indicated that negotiations were expected to resume next week, suggesting the recall of delegations was a pressure tactic.

Egypt and Qatar, mediators in the talks alongside the United States, assured that the pause in negotiations was temporary, although no timeline for their resumption was provided.

The United Nations and experts warn of a famine risk for Palestinians in Gaza, with reports of increasing malnutrition-related deaths. While the Israeli military claims to allow unlimited aid into the enclave, the U.N. reports being hindered by Israeli military restrictions and criminal looting incidents.

The shootings at the Zikim crossing occurred just days after at least 80 Palestinians were killed while trying to reach aid through the same crossing. At that time, the Israeli military stated that its soldiers fired at a gathering of thousands of Palestinians who posed a threat, acknowledging some casualties.

With mounting international pressure to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, over two dozen Western-aligned countries and more than 100 charity and human rights groups have called for an end to the conflict, criticizing Israel's blockade and new aid delivery model.

For the first time in months, Israel has agreed to allow airdrops, following a request from Jordan. A Jordanian official stated that the airdrops would primarily consist of food and milk formula. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer wrote in a newspaper article on Saturday that the U.K. was working urgently with Jordan to facilitate British aid deliveries to Gaza.

The aid organization World Central Kitchen announced on Friday the resumption of limited cooking operations in Deir al-Balah after a temporary halt due to food supply shortages. The group aims to provide 60,000 meals daily through its field kitchen and partner community kitchens, less than half of what it previously served over the past month.