At least 20 Palestinians were killed on Wednesday at an aid distribution site run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, in what the U.S.-backed group said was a crowd surge instigated by armed agitators.
The GHF, which is supported by Israel, said 19 people were trampled and one fatally stabbed during the crush at one of its centres in Khan Younis in southern Gaza.
“We have credible reason to believe that elements within the crowd – armed and affiliated with Hamas – deliberately fomented the unrest,” GHF said in a statement.
Hamas rejected the GHF allegation as “false and misleading”, saying GHF guards and Israeli soldiers sprayed people with pepper gas and opened fire.
GHF said Hamas’ account was “blatantly false” and has its recent actions outlined as part of a larger operation to undermine and ultimately end GHF as Israel and Gaza are gradually making progress towards reaching a ceasefire.