Gaza civil defence says 37 killed by “Israeli” fire

Gaza's civil defence agency said at least 37 people were killed by “Israeli” fire on Saturday, including 30 civilians who were waiting to collect aid.

Civil defence spokesman Mahmud Bassal told AFP that 12 people were killed and nearly 200 wounded when “Israeli” forces opened fire on them as they gathered near a border crossing in northern Gaza that has been used for aid deliveries.

Six more people were killed and 30 wounded after “Israeli” troops targeted civilians assembling near an aid point in central Gaza, he said.

Strikes in central Gaza also resulted in multiple casualties, according to Bassal, while a drone attack near the southern city of Khan Yunis killed at least three people and wounded several others.

Thousands of Palestinians congregate daily near food distribution points in Gaza, including four managed by the US- and “Israeli”-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.

Since launching in late May, its operations have been marred by almost-daily reports of “Israeli” forces firing on those waiting to collect aid.

“Israeli” restrictions on the entry of supplies into Gaza since the start of the war nearly two years ago have led to shortages of food and essential supplies, including medicine and fuel, which hospitals require to power their generators.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces mounting pressure to agree to a ceasefire to bring the territory's more than two million people back from the brink of famine and free the captives held by Palestinian militants.

But early Friday, the “Israeli” security cabinet approved plans for a major operation to seize Gaza City, triggering a wave of outrage across the globe.

Despite the backlash and rumours of dissent from “Israeli” military top brass, Netanyahu has remained defiant over the decision.

In a post on social media late Friday, he said "we are not going to occupy Gaza -- we are going to free Gaza from Hamas".