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©(Photo by John MACDOUGALL / AFP)
Gazan authorities reported on Thursday that Israeli forces had killed 20 individuals who were waiting for humanitarian aid distribution, amid Israel's intensified assault on the territory.
Authorities in the Gaza Strip said Thursday that Israeli forces had killed 20 people waiting for humanitarian aid to be distributed, as Israel pressed its blistering assault in the territory.
Hamas said the incident amounted to a "horrific war crime."
The casualties were brought to Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, where bodies were seen lying on the floor, an AFP journalist said.
Wednesday's deadly attack on a UN shelter saw two tank shells fired at a building sheltering 800 people in Khan Younes, according to the United Nations.
On Thursday, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) said the Israeli army had ordered people taking refuge at the site to leave by Friday afternoon.
[readmore url="https://thisisbeirut.com.lb/world/220162"]
"No specific evacuation request was communicated to UNRWA or those staying in its (the shelter's) vicinity," Israel's military told AFP.
Gaza Director of UNRWA Thomas White denounced "persistent attacks on civilian sites" in Khan Younes as "utterly unacceptable."
[readmore url="https://thisisbeirut.com.lb/world/220314"]
Egypt and Qatar have acted as mediators in the conflict, including in November, when a brief truce agreement led to the release of 105 hostages.
But Netanyahu was allegedly caught on tape telling hostages' families this week that Qatar's mediation was "problematic," blaming it for funding Hamas.
The Gulf state said it was "appalled" at the remarks, which "if validated, are irresponsible and destructive to the efforts to save innocent lives."
The Gaza war has sparked fears of a wider escalation, with a surge in violence involving Iran-aligned Hamas allies across the Middle East.
Yemen's Houthis have been firing missiles at shipping in the Red Sea since mid-November, prompting the United States and United Kingdom to launch airstrikes on the Iran-backed group.
Concerns are growing about the economic fallout from the attacks in the commercially vital waters, with European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde warning Thursday of higher eurozone inflation and disruptions to global trade.
About 1,140 deaths were reported in Israel, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of official Israeli figures.
Gaza's health ministry says has Israel killed at least 25,700 people, about 70 percent of them women and children.
Khalil Wakim, with AFP
Authorities in the Gaza Strip said Thursday that Israeli forces had killed 20 people waiting for humanitarian aid to be distributed, as Israel pressed its blistering assault in the territory.
Hamas said the incident amounted to a "horrific war crime."
The casualties were brought to Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, where bodies were seen lying on the floor, an AFP journalist said.
UN Shelter Shelled
Wednesday's deadly attack on a UN shelter saw two tank shells fired at a building sheltering 800 people in Khan Younes, according to the United Nations.
On Thursday, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) said the Israeli army had ordered people taking refuge at the site to leave by Friday afternoon.
[readmore url="https://thisisbeirut.com.lb/world/220162"]
"No specific evacuation request was communicated to UNRWA or those staying in its (the shelter's) vicinity," Israel's military told AFP.
Gaza Director of UNRWA Thomas White denounced "persistent attacks on civilian sites" in Khan Younes as "utterly unacceptable."
[readmore url="https://thisisbeirut.com.lb/world/220314"]
Fears for World Trade
Egypt and Qatar have acted as mediators in the conflict, including in November, when a brief truce agreement led to the release of 105 hostages.
But Netanyahu was allegedly caught on tape telling hostages' families this week that Qatar's mediation was "problematic," blaming it for funding Hamas.
The Gulf state said it was "appalled" at the remarks, which "if validated, are irresponsible and destructive to the efforts to save innocent lives."
The Gaza war has sparked fears of a wider escalation, with a surge in violence involving Iran-aligned Hamas allies across the Middle East.
Yemen's Houthis have been firing missiles at shipping in the Red Sea since mid-November, prompting the United States and United Kingdom to launch airstrikes on the Iran-backed group.
Concerns are growing about the economic fallout from the attacks in the commercially vital waters, with European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde warning Thursday of higher eurozone inflation and disruptions to global trade.
Human Toll
About 1,140 deaths were reported in Israel, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of official Israeli figures.
Gaza's health ministry says has Israel killed at least 25,700 people, about 70 percent of them women and children.
Khalil Wakim, with AFP
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