Gaza's civil defence agency said Israeli forces killed at least 43 people today, including 26 who had gathered near an aid distribution centre, the latest in a string of deadly incidents targeting aid seekers in the Palestinian territory.
"Forty-three martyrs have fallen as a result of the ongoing Israeli bombardment on the Gaza Strip since dawn today, 26 of whom were waiting for humanitarian aid," Mohammad Al-Mughayyir, director of medical supply at the civil defence agency in Gaza, said.
Yesterday, the civil defence agency said Israeli forces killed at least 72 people, including 21 who had gathered near aid distribution sites.
At least 300 Palestinians have been killed in recent weeks while trying to reach aid distribution points in Gaza, which is suffering from famine-like conditions, the Hamas-run territory's health ministry has said.
Israeli restrictions on media in Gaza and difficulties in accessing some areas mean media outlets are unable to independently verify the tolls and details provided by rescuers and authorities in the Palestinian territory.
In early March, Israel imposed an aid blockade on Gaza amid a deadlock in truce negotiations, only partially easing restrictions in late May.
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After Israel loosened its blockade, the privately run Gaza Humanitarian Foundation began distributing aid but its operations have been marred by chaotic scenes.
UN agencies and major aid groups have refused to cooperate with the foundation - which has the support of Israel and its ally the United States - over concerns it was designed to cater to Israeli military objectives.
Elsewhere in the Middle East, Iran said it would not discuss the future of its nuclear programme while under attack by Israel, as Europe tried to coax Tehran back into negotiations and the US considers whether to get involved in the conflict.
