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Twenty Palestinians were killed by Israeli gunfire while waiting to reach an aid distribution center in southern Gaza on Monday, according to the territory's civil defense agency.
Civil defense spokesman Mahmud Bassal said the casualties occurred near the Al-Alam roundabout when "occupation forces opened fire" on people attempting to reach an aid center in Rafah. He told Agence France-Presse (AFP) that "20 martyrs and more than 200 wounded by occupation gunfire... were transferred to the Red Cross field hospital in the Al-Mawasi area of Khan Yunis, then to Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis."
The Israeli military said it was checking the reports when contacted by AFP for comment.
Media restrictions imposed by Israel in Gaza and limited ground access prevent independent verification of casualty figures provided by the civil defense agency.
The incident adds to a growing toll of Palestinians killed while seeking humanitarian aid.
The civil defense agency reports that dozens have died attempting to reach Gaza Humanitarian Foundation distribution points since the U.S.- and Israel-backed organization began operations in late May.
The agency reported more than 20 killed on Saturday alone.
Gaza faces severe humanitarian conditions that prompted the United Nations to describe it as "the hungriest place on Earth" at the end of May.
The U.N. humanitarian agency OCHA has warned that "the entire population" faces famine risk.
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has faced significant opposition from major international organizations. The United Nations and leading aid groups have refused to cooperate with GHF, citing concerns that it serves Israeli military objectives rather than humanitarian purposes.
Israel continues to face mounting international pressure over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza as civilian casualties mount during aid distribution efforts.
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