Photo: Reuters
Rafah, Gaza Strip: At least 21 individuals were killed on Sunday while on their way to receive charity from an Israeli-backed organisation in the Gaza Strip, according to a Red Cross hospital that received the bodies.
Another 175 individuals were wounded, according to medical officials, but it is unclear who opened fire on them. An Associated Press correspondent witnessed dozens of patients being treated at the hospital.
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation's distribution of aid has been marred by chaos, and multiple witnesses have said Israeli troops fired on crowds near the delivery sites. Before Sunday, at least six people had been killed and more than 50 wounded according to local health officials, AP reported.
The foundation says the private security contractors guarding its sites did not fire on the crowds, while the Israeli military has acknowledged firing warning shots.
The foundation did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In an earlier statement, it said it distributed 16 truckloads of aid early Sunday “without incident.” It dismissed what it referred to as “false reporting about deaths, mass injuries and chaos.”
With PTI inputs