Gaza civil defence says Israeli attacks kill 26

AFP | Gaza City

Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

Territories Gaza's civil defence agency said 26 people were killed by Israeli gunfire and air strikes yesterday, including 14 who were waiting near an aid distribution site inside the Palestinian territory.

Civil defence spokesman Mahmud Bassal told AFP that eight people were killed by Israeli gunfire while waiting for aid near the south Gaza city of Khan Yunis.

Six more people were killed and 21 injured by Israeli fire in central Gaza while waiting for food near a distribution centre, according to Bassal.

The Israeli army told AFP it was looking into the incidents.

Media restrictions in Gaza and difficulties in accessing many areas mean AFP is unable to independently verify the tolls and details provided by the civil defence agency and other parties.

Thousands of Gazans gather daily near food distribution points across Gaza, including four belonging to the US- and Israeli-backed Gaza HumanitarianFoundation.

Its operations have been marredby chaotic scenes and near-dailyreports of Israeli forces firing onthose waiting to collect rations.

Israeli restrictions on the entry of goods and aid into Gazasince the start of the war nearly22 months ago have led to shortages of food and essential goods,including medicine, medical supplies and fuel, which hospitalsrely on to power their generators.