9 hours ago
At least 50 Gazans killed in worst attack of aid crisis
At least 50 Gazans who were trying to get aid have died in the latest mass killing, according to officials in the Strip.
Gaza's civil defence agency, which comes under the governance structure controlled by Hamas, said Israeli tanks and drones fired at civilians who had gathered to receive flour at a charity aid centre on Tuesday morning.
The World Health Organisation said it had received reports of a mass-casualty event. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said details of the incident were 'under review'.
If confirmed, the killing would amount to the worst incident in terms of deaths related to the collection of humanitarian aid since a new system was implemented.
It follows weeks of controversy about the danger to civilians collecting aid under the new framework, with multiple allegations of mass shootings near aid distribution centres run by a US contractor.
However, Tuesday's incident, which took place near the Al-Tahlia roundabout in the city of Khan Younis, is not reported to involve the Gaza Health Foundation (GHF).
Gaza's health ministry, which also comes under the control of Hamas, said 51 dead and more than 200 injured had arrived at the Masser Medical Complex. Twenty of the injured were in a critical condition.
Videos on social media purported to show numerous cars racing into the hospital compound with casualties inside.
There were also as yet unverified pictures of bloodied individuals, including children, being treated on the hospital floor.
Parts of the Gazan population – approximately half a million – are on the brink of starvation, according to NGOs. It follows an Israeli blockade of humanitarian aid from the beginning of March to late May.
Under the new system, aid is available at a small number of specially created sites run by GHF, as well as via some aid lorries allowed into Gaza.
However, the model of community distribution has been shattered because of the mass displacement of population caused by the expanded campaign against Hamas.
Gaza has hardly been in the headlines since Israel began its campaign against Iran's nuclear and military infrastructure on Thursday night, and Iran began firing ballistic missiles and drones at Israel in response.
An IDF spokesman said: 'Earlier today [Tuesday], a gathering was identified adjacent to an aid distribution truck that got stuck in the area of Khan Younis, and in proximity to IDF troops operating in the area.
'The IDF is aware of reports regarding a number of injured individuals from IDF fire following the crowd's approach. The details of the incident are under review. The IDF regrets any harm to uninvolved individuals and operates to minimise harm as much as possible to them while maintaining the safety of our troops.'
