The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) says its Khan Younis aid distribution site will be closed today “for maintenance”, Al Jazeera reports.

On Wednesday, at least 20 people were killed at the GHF’s distribution hub in the southern Gaza city, including 15 from a stampede and suffocation due to tear gas fired at aid seekers, according to Palestinian health officials.

The Israel- and US-backed group acknowledged the deaths at its distribution point but accused Hamas-affiliated Palestinians of fomenting the unrest. It also denied its forces used tear gas against the crowd.

Witnesses said guards at the site sprayed pepper gas at them after they had locked the gates to the centre, trapping them between the gates and the outer wire fence.

Since it began operating in late May, the GHF has been engulfed in criticism for setting up sites that the UN describes as “death traps”. More than 870 people have been killed near or at its distribution hubs.