Comedian Joan Rivers has shocked the world with her latest rant in which she said Palestinian civilians in Gaza "deserved to die".

The comedian, whose parents were Russian Jews, did not hold back when the paparazzi at LA airport asked for her view on the Israeli-Hamas conflict, which has killed almost 2,000 people.

The 81-year-old, incensed by the photographer's question, said: "The dead? You deserve to be dead. You started it. Don't you dare make me feel sad about that."

As for the 2,000 civilians that has been killed, with her head in her hands, she shouted: "Oh my God! Tell that to the people in Hiroshima.

"Good. Good. When you declare war, you declare war. They started it."

She went on to describe Hamas as "terrorists" saying they were "re-elected by a lot of very stupid people".

"They were told to get out. They didn't get out. You don't get out, you are an idiot. At least the ones that were killed were the ones with low IQs," she added.

Her comments have caused a furious backlash via people on social media.

Joseph Willits tweeted: "Palestinians deserve 2 be dead says @Joan_Rivers - says it was out of context. Vile moron."

One user, Cembers, posted on YouTube: "This is what you expect from a dirty old woman who makes jokes about miscarriage."

Aimee Chatila wrote: "Yeah... Hamas definitely started it with their massacre of Palestinians in Deir Yassin in 1948, that was Hamas' doing. No Israel brought it onto themselves as they keep Gaza under a blockade. Read Hamas' 10 points for the ceasefire and tell me with a straight face that those are unreasonable terms, they're perfectly legit."

Raven Rez, said: "I hated this bitch but now i grown to respect her no one can say it more bluntly she's right 100%