Witnesses describe Israeli ‘massacre’ at Gaza food site
The death toll from yet another attack near an aid distribution site in southern Gaza has risen to at least 51 with witnesses saying Israeli forces opened fire on a crowd of people searching for food.
“Tens of thousands of hungry civilians gathered for the aid. Two Israeli shells were dropped in the middle of the crowd. Dozens of civilians, including children, were killed, and no one could help or save lives,” survivor Saeed Abu Liba, 38, told Al Jazeera. “May God punish the Israelis for their crimes.”
Yousef Nofal, another witness, said he saw many people motionless and bleeding on the ground. “It was a massacre,” he said, adding Israeli soldiers continued firing on people as they fled the area.
Mohammed Abu Qeshfa said he heard a loud explosion followed by heavy gunfire and tank shelling. “I survived by a miracle,” he said. Gaza Civil Defence spokesman Mahmud Bassal said more than 200 people were wounded as thousands of Palestinians gathered to receive flour.
“Israeli drones fired at the citizens. Some minutes later, Israeli tanks fired several shells at the citizens, which led to a large number of martyrs and wounded,” he said.
Many of those wounded in Israel’s attacks at Gaza aid site are in critical condition
We have just received confirmation from the Gaza Health Ministry that 51 Palestinians have been killed in the attack on the city of Khan Younis, while at least 200 others have been wounded. Of those, 21 are in critical condition.
This has been an absolute tragedy.
The attack happened as aid seekers gathered at points leading to a recently established point for aid distribution by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), in the eastern part of the city of Khan Younis. Witnesses said they had gone to collect food aid but were met with live ammunition and drone attacks without any kind of warning.
This attack was not the only assault on aid seekers this morning.
There was also one near the Netzarim Corridor, where another GHF site turned into a death trap. We know that at least one person was killed there, while 60 others were wounded.
Since morning, 74 Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza: Medical sources
At least 74 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks across the besieged Gaza Strip since dawn, medical sources tell Al Jazeera.
Among them were at least 56 aid seekers.
