Palestinians clamoured for aid and gunfire rang out in chaotic scenes, as a controversial US-Israeli aid distribution scheme turned to shambles.

Journalists in the besiged Gaza Strip said hungry and beleagured residents forced to stand outside a facility holding aid rushed inside because of delays conducting detailed security checks on recepients.

According to Israeli army sources cited by Israeli media, Americans affiliated with the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation had to be rescued once they lost control of the facility.

The Israeli military denied firing on the crowds but gunfire was heard at the scene, possibly as a result of warning shots fired by American mercenaries securing the facility. There have been no reports of deaths or injuries so far.