At least 19 trampled to death and one stabbed as Hamas ‘agitators' spark deadly crowd crush at Gaza aid site
Nineteen were trampled to death with one person stabbed in the "tragic accident," the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) said.
2
The GHF said it believed the harrowing surge was "driven by agitators in the crowd" who were affiliated to Hamas.
Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis said it had received 10 bodies who had died due to "suffocation" after an aid site was shut by the GHF's US private security contractors.
The GHF added: "We have credible reason to believe that elements within the crowd - armed and affiliated with Hamas - deliberately fomented the unrest".
A medical source at Nasser Hospital said the victims were "heading to the aid distribution centre in northwest Rafah to receive food aid" but the main gate to the centre had been closed.
The GHF started its operations on May 26 after Israel had halted supplies into the Gaza Strip for more than two months, sparking warnings of imminent famine.
On Tuesday, the UN said it had recorded 875 people killed in Gaza while trying to get food, including 674 "in the vicinity of GHF sites", since the end of May.
Last week, UN rights office spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani said that "most of the injuries are gunshot injuries".
The GHF has denied that fatal shootings have occurred in the immediate vicinity of its aid points and the Israeli army has accused Hamas of being responsible for firing at civilians.
The GHF said on Wednesday: "For the first time since operations began, GHF personnel identified multiple firearms in the crowd, one of which was confiscated.
"An American worker was also threatened with a firearm by a member of the crowd during the incident."
It added that it was part of a "deeply troubling pattern", including "false messages" about aid site openings.
.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Dramatic moment thrill-seeking jet skier violently crashes into an unsuspecting rider launching him flying into the ocean
This is the dramatic moment a jet skier collides into another rider, sending him crashing into the ocean. Hamza Kadri was in Doha, Qatar, when he chose to ride a jet ski out at sea on June 8th. Click to watch the shocking moment above.
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Sister pays tribute to drowned Briton who ‘died trying to save his friend'
The sister of a British man who drowned in Portugal has said he died trying to save his best friend's life. King Edonmi, 29, and Mo Liasu, 27, both from Ipswich, lost their lives less than 24 hours after arriving on holiday in Albufeira, on Portugal's southern coast. The pair are believed to have drowned in a hotel swimming pool on July 15. Candles, flowers and tealights spelling out the men's names have since been laid near flats on Ipswich Waterfront. Kemi Edonmi, King's sister, paid tribute to her brother online, writing: 'My best friend is really gone. 'Rest in peace to my big brother and his best friend Mo, we love you and will never forget you both. 'The whole family is comforted by the fact that King died in Christ. 'From Jesus – For Jesus – Back to Jesus. We shall all meet again.' She said King had died while trying to save Mo's life. 'My brother died trying to save his friend's life,' she said. Some local reports suggested the men had been drinking, but Ms Edonmi insisted this was not true. 'My brother and Mo do not drink and were not intoxicated at the time of the incident,' she wrote. 'Articles with false information and insensitive comments don't know the pain they're causing the people closest to King and Mo.' A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson said: 'We are supporting the families of two British men who have died in Portugal and are in contact with the local authorities.' A fundraising page launched in the men's memory has raised more than £22,000 to help pay for the repatriation of their bodies. It said: 'On what was meant to be a joyful holiday in Portugal, our two dear friends Mo and King tragically lost their lives less than 24 hours after arriving. 'What was supposed to be sunshine and laughter turned into heartbreak no one could have imagined.' The Policia Judiciaria, Portugal's criminal investigation police, said the incident is not being treated as suspicious. A spokesperson said: 'The inspection of the scene revealed no evidence of criminal activity. 'Witnesses to the events were interviewed, confirming the investigation's belief that it was an accident.'
BBC News
2 hours ago
- BBC News
Mother swan and two cygnets killed in canal lock crush
Three swans have been killed in a canal after they were crushed between a lock wall and a eyewitness told BBC Hereford and Worcester that the two cygnets became trapped inside the lock and were unable to escape, while their mother attempted to "protect them". They said the boat continued to enter the lock despite onlookers alerting those on board to the swans' Canal and River Trust said the incident, which happened in Stourport on York Street on 11 July, was "tragic and entirely avoidable". West Mercia Police said it was aware of the deaths and would liaise with the RSPCA. Known as Mrs BJS, the swan was a well-loved character in the area and had lived on the canal for six years, a local resident added the surviving two cygnets "constantly go up and down" the canal looking for their the Canal and River Trust said it was "deeply saddening" to learn of the incident and urged anyone with information to contact the police or the RSPCA."[We are] devoted to protecting and supporting wildlife along our waterways - we are horrified by this cruel and senseless act," it said. Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
