At least 20 killed in crush at aid site in Gaza

In the Middle East, at least 20 people have been killed in a fatal crush at an aid distribution site in Khan Younis, southern Gaza.

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a U.S.-and Israeli-endorsed NGO, reported on July 16 that the deaths occurred during food distribution in Khan Younis.

GHF officials said that armed people believed to be linked to Hamas deliberately caused unrest by infiltrating the crowd to cause panic.

The Hamas-run Gaza Government Media Office blamed the incident on the GHF, while witnesses said security personnel had used pepper spray on the crowd.

Palestinian health authorities confirmed 21 deaths by suffocation, asserting many victims were crushed in an overcrowded enclosure.