Gaza’s Hamas-run civil defense agency says Israeli fire killed 15 people who had gathered near an aid distribution site in central Gaza.
The agency says a further three people were killed by shelling near Gaza City.
There is no comment from the Israel Defense Forces.
It is unclear at what time the reported shooting near the aid site took place. Earlier this month, the IDF warned Palestinians not to approach routes leading to Gaza Humanitarian Foundation sites between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. local time, describing these roads as closed military zones. However, the GHF has indicated it may be open during those hours.
The GHF has faced heavy scrutiny from other aid bodies, as well as the UN and foreign countries, which say that it does not sufficiently address the humanitarian needs in the war-torn Palestinian enclave.
Critics have also accused GHF of putting aid seekers in harm’s way, with operations beset by deadly incidents on a near-daily basis.
Israel says the mechanism is required to keep aid out of the hands of Hamas.
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