Rome-based World Food Program (WFP) said on Sunday that many hungry people in the Gaza Strip were killed by Israeli fires while waiting for UN aid trucks.
The UN agency said on X that shortly after crossing the northern Zikim through Gaza, a 25-megawatt truck convoy encountered a large number of civilians waiting to obtain food supplies.
“As the convoy approached, the crowds around were slammed by Israeli tanks, snipers and other gunfires.”
WFP said the incident killed “numerous lives” and suffered more serious injuries.
“These people are just trying to feed their food on the brink of hunger to feed themselves and their families. This horrible incident underlines the increasingly dangerous conditions, with humanitarian operations in Gaza.”
Local health authorities reported 67 Palestinians were killed, while Palestinian news agency WAFA reported 58 people died and at least 60 were injured.
WFP said it called on life-saving assistance to protect all civilians and aid workers.
“Shootings near convoys and food distributions must be stopped immediately on humanitarian missions. Any violence by civilians seeking humanitarian assistance is completely unacceptable.”
The hunger crisis in Gaza has reached a new level of despair.
“For a long time, an agreed ceasefire should also be released. All hostages should be released and humanitarians should be able to reach Gaza’s civilian population in a consistent, predictable, orderly and safe manner, no matter where they are in the Gaza Strip.”
