Key points
- Over 200 also wounded near the aid distribution site in Khan Yunis
- Thousands had gathered to receive flour at the charity centre
- Gaza’s total death toll has reached 55,432
ISLAMABAD: Gaza’s civil defence agency said that Israeli forces on Tuesday killed at least 50 people gathered near an aid distribution site in Khan Yunis in the territory’s south, updating an earlier toll, according to AFP.
Civil defence spokesman Mahmud Bassal said that at least 50 people were killed and more than 200 wounded as thousands of Palestinians gathered to receive flour at a charity aid centre in the morning.
“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.
“Looking into” the incident
The Israeli army said it was “looking into” the incident.
Gaza’s health ministry later reported that as a result of the incident, “51 martyrs and more than 200 injuries have arrived at Nasser Medical Complex, including 20 in critical condition”.
The health ministry in Gaza said on Monday that 5,139 people have been killed since Israel resumed strikes on the territory on March 18 following a truce.
The overall death toll in Gaza since the war broke out on October 7, 2023 has reached 55,432 people, according to the health ministry, according to AFP.
UN rights chief condemns Israel
The United Nations human rights chief condemned Israel’s conduct of its war in the besieged enclave, where deadly Israeli attacks continue unabated as the country exchanges missile attacks with Iran.
Speaking on Monday, Volker Turk said Israel’s “means and methods of warfare are inflicting horrifying, unconscionable suffering on Palestinians in Gaza”, Al Jazeera reported.
