Israeli fire killed at least 44 Palestinians in Gaza today, many of whom had been trying to get food, local officials say.
At least 25 people awaiting aid trucks were killed by Israeli fire south of Netzarim in central Gaza Strip, the Hamas-run local health authority says.
Asked by Reuters about the incident, the Israel Defense Force says its troops had fired warning shots at suspected militants who advanced in a crowd toward them.
An Israeli aircraft then “struck and eliminated the suspects,” it says in a statement, adding that it was aware of others being hurt in the incident and was conducting a review.
Separately, Gazan medics said at least 19 others were killed in other Israeli military strikes across the enclave, including 12 people in a house in Deir Al-Balah in central Gaza Strip, taking Friday’s total death toll to at least 44.
A Palestinian boy carries a pot with food collected at a charity kitchen providing hot meals in Rimal neighbourhood in Gaza City on June 18, 2025. (Omar AL-QATTAA / AFP)
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From the Liveblog of
Friday, June 20, 2025
