Israel-Gaza war: UN chief urges probe into aid convoy tragedy
GAZA CITY - Several countries have joined the UN in calling for an investigation into the deaths of more than 100 Palestinians during an aid delivery in Gaza.
At least 117 people were killed and more than 760 injured on Thursday as they crowded around aid lorries.
UN Secretary General António Guterres condemned the incident and said "desperate civilians" need urgent help.
Hamas accused Israel of firing at civilians, but Israel said most died in a crush after it fired warning shots.
On Thursday international criticism of Israel mounted with French President Emmanuel Macron saying civilians had been "targeted by Israeli soldiers."
The EU's foreign policy chief, Josep Borell, described the incident as "totally unacceptable carnage."
Reacting to the incident, Guterres wrote on social media: "I condemn Thursday's incident in Gaza in which more than 100 people were reportedly killed or injured while seeking life-saving aid."
"The desperate civilians in Gaza need urgent help, including those in the north where the UN has not been able to deliver aid in more than a week."
France, Italy and Germany yesterday also called for an independent investigation into the aid convoy deaths.
Thursday's incident took place shortly after 04:45 (02:45 GMT) at the Nabulsi roundabout, on the south-western edge of Gaza City.
Ramzi Mohammed Rihan was injured in the stampede and described to BBC Arabic what he saw.
He said: "We were informed that a shipment of flour would arrive through Al-Nabulsi Street and that there would be no shooting.
"We went to get flour to feed our children. We went to Nabulsi Street and before the trucks arrived there was gunfire.
"As the trucks entered, we headed towards them, and as we tried to get the first bag of flour out of the truck, they began to fire at us."
The incident came hours before Gaza's health ministry announced that more than 30,000 people, including 21, 000 children and women, had been killed in Gaza since the start of the current conflict on October 7. Some 7, 000 were missing and 70, 450 were injured, it said.
Gutteres added: "I am appalled by the tragic human toll of the conflict in Gaza more than 30,000 people reportedly killed and over 70, 000 injured.
"I reiterate my call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and the unconditional release of all hostages."