Dozens killed in Israeli strike while waiting for flour in Gaza as death toll grows
The strike was the latest in a series of violent incidents at aid distributions sites
Health officials in Gaza said 18 people were killed after an Israeli strike reportedly hit Palestinians waiting for bags of flour, as the death toll from attacks on aid distribution sites grows to over 500 in the past month.
Witnesses said a crowd of people were getting bags of flour from a Palestinian police unit on Thursday when the attack took place, The Associated Press reported. The unit had confiscated the goods from gangs looting aid convoys.
There was no immediate comment from the Israeli army.
- Donald Trump had simple answer to Danica Patrick question on Air Force One
- Iran finally admits US strikes devastated nuclear sites with ‘serious damage’
The strike was the latest in a series of violent incidents at aid distributions sites. At least 549 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces while trying to access humanitarian aid in the past month, according to Gaza’s Government Media Office.
The new US-Israeli backed aid distribution sites were opened in Gaza a month ago.
The sites were opened after Israel faced international condemnation for blocking the entry of all food, water and other aid supplies to Gaza for nearly three months.
Israel said it would use private security contractors to take control of the distribution of aid supplies in Gaza, accusing Hamas of keeping aid for itself, without providing evidence.
The UN has denounced the new aid distribution system, saying it won’t be able to meet the needs of Gaza’s 2.3 million people and allows Israel to use food to control the population.
The UN has refused to take part in Israel’s new aid system, saying it violates humanitarian principles. They said it could be used by Israel to forcibly displace Palestinians by requiring them to move near distribution hubs or else face starvation.
Thousands of Palestinians walk for hours to reach the aid sites, moving through Israeli army zones where witnesses say troops regularly open fire to control the crowds, AP reported.
