Gaza Aid Killings: Civil defence says 34 killed, many waiting for food, as Israeli fire targets aid points amid severe shortages and global ceasefire calls

Gaza Aid Killings have drawn global condemnation after Gaza’s civil defence agency reported that at least 34 people were killed by Israeli fire on Saturday, many of them civilians waiting to collect food.

Also read: Just in: Israel suffers heavy casualties in Gaza War, loses 21 soldiers in 24hrs

Civil defence spokesman Mahmud Bassal said nine people were killed and 181 injured when Israeli forces opened fire on a crowd near a northern Gaza border crossing used for aid deliveries.

Another six were killed and 30 wounded at a central Gaza aid point.

Additional strikes and a drone attack near Khan Yunis killed at least three more, with casualties also reported in central Gaza.

Israel’s blockade since the war began nearly two years ago has caused severe shortages of food, medicine, and fuel.

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, backed by the US and Israel, has faced repeated incidents of aid seekers coming under fire.

Also read: Casualties mount as Israeli strikes target Northern Gaza

Despite growing pressure for a ceasefire, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has approved plans for a major Gaza City offensive, vowing to “free Gaza from Hamas.”