At least 15 Palestinians killed by Israeli fire at aid point, Gaza officials say
At least 15 people were killed by Israeli fire as they waited for aid distribution in Gaza, local officials and some media reported on Tuesday.
'At least 15 people were killed and dozens wounded … when Israeli forces opened fire with tanks and drones on thousands of civilians who had gathered since dawn near the Al-Alam roundabout in the Al-Mawasi area, northwest of Rafah,' civil defence spokesperson Mahmoud Bassal told AFP.
Gaza's health ministry put the death toll higher, saying 24 people were killed early on Tuesday. Hamas-affiliated media also carried the reports.
In a statement, the Israeli military said troops fired shots near an aid distribution complex after noticing 'a number of suspects moving towards them.'
'The forces fired evasive shots, and after they did not move away, additional shots were fired near the individual suspects who were advancing towards the forces.'
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the incident was under investigation, adding: 'IDF forces are not preventing Gaza residents from reaching the aid distribution sites. The shooting was carried out about half a kilometre from the distribution site.'
The reported shooting comes after similar incidents earlier in the week of Palestinians being killed and injured by Israeli fire as they sought to receive aid at newly established distribution points.
On Monday, at least three people were killed and dozens more injured at a shooting at an aid point, health officials and a witness said. The Israeli military said it fired warning shots at 'suspects' who approached its forces.
More than 30 Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire on Sunday as they went to receive food at an aid distribution point set up by an Israeli-backed foundation in Gaza, according to witnesses, and a hospital run by the Red Cross.
Reuters and Agence France-Presse contributed to this report
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