Israeli tank shelling kills 45 people awaiting aid trucks in Gaza ministry says

CAIRO - Israeli tanks fired into a crowd trying to get aid from trucks in the Gaza Strip on June 17, killing at least 51 people, according to medics, in one of the bloodiest incidents yet in mounting violence as desperate residents struggle for food.

Video shared on social media showed around a dozen mangled bodies lying in a street in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip.

The Israeli military acknowledged firing in the area and said it was looking into the incident.

Eyewitnesses interviewed by Reuters said Israeli tanks had fired at least two shells at a crowd of thousands, who had gathered on the main eastern road through Khan Younis in the hope of getting food from aid trucks that use the route.

“All of a sudden, they let us move forward and made everyone gather, and then shells started falling, tank shells,” said Mr Alaa, an eyewitness, interviewed by Reuters at Nasser Hospital, where wounded victims lay sprawled on the floor and in corridors due to the lack of space.

“No one is looking at these people with mercy. The people are dying, they are being torn apart, to get food for their children. Look at these people, all these people are torn to get flour to feed their children.”

Medics said at least 51 people were killed and 200 wounded, with at least 20 of them in critical condition.

Casualties were being rushed into the hospital in civilian cars, rickshaws and donkey carts.

In a statement, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) said: “Earlier today, a gathering was identified adjacent to an aid distribution truck that got stuck in the area of Khan Younis, and in proximity to IDF troops operating in the area.

“The IDF is aware of reports regarding a number of injured individuals