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The IDF has confirmed that tanks fired in the area.
The IDF has confirmed that tanks fired in the area.
What is happening?
Israeli tanks have allegedly opened fire on a Gaza crowd trying to get food.
At least 51 people have been killed.
Mangled bodies in the streets
According to Reuters, videos on social media show at least a dozen mangled bodies in the streets of Khan Yunis, southern Gaza Strip.
Eyewitnesses tell Reuters that Israeli tanks fired at least two shells at the crowd, which counted thousands of people gathered to get food from aid trucks.
“And then shells started falling”
One witness, Alaa, described the events:
“All of a sudden, they let us move forward and made everyone gather, and then shells started falling, tank shells,”
Lying in hospital corridors
Reuters describes how wounded are laying on the floor and in corridors of the Nasser Hospital, because there is not enough space for all the wounded.
The Israeli statement
In a statement, the Israeli Defence Forces said:
“Earlier today, a gathering was identified adjacent to an aid distribution truck that got stuck in the area of Khan Yunis, 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.”
More than 200 wounded
According to medics at the scene, more than 200 people have been wounded with at least 20 of them being in a critical condition.
Another day, another incident
Three weeks ago, Israel partially lifted the three-month total blockade of the territory.
Since then there have been near-daily reports of mass killings of Palestinians, many related to distribution of aid.