Gaza Strip: Israeli forces and drones allegedly opened fire early Tuesday on crowds of Palestinians gathered to receive humanitarian aid in central Gaza, leaving at least 25 people dead and 146 injured, according to witnesses and hospital officials.

The incident occurred along Salah al-Din Road, south of Wadi Gaza, near the Netzarim corridor, which is controlled by Israeli forces and cuts Gaza from east to west. The Awda hospital in Nuseirat refugee camp received most of the casualties and reported that 62 of the wounded were in critical condition, prompting transfers to other medical facilities.

Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic and chaos. “It was a massacre,” said Ahmed Halawa, who alleged that tanks and drones fired on civilians “even as we were fleeing.”

Another witness, Hossam Abu Shahada, said Israeli drones monitored the crowd before tanks and drones opened fire as people advanced to meet approaching aid trucks. “I saw at least three people motionless on the ground,” he said.

The Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in nearby Deir al-Balah also reported receiving six additional bodies from the incident.

In response to inquiries from the Associated Press, the Israeli military said it was reviewing the reports, stating that its troops were approached by a group of individuals in a “suspicious manner” near the area adjacent to the Netzarim corridor.

Palestinian officials and health workers have repeatedly accused Israeli forces of targeting civilians during aid distributions, an allegation Israel denies. The military has claimed it only fires warning shots when its soldiers are threatened or approached suspiciously.

The death toll in Gaza since Israel’s campaign began in October 2023 has surpassed 56,000, according to the Gaza health ministry. The ministry does not differentiate between civilians and militants but says that over half of the victims are women and children.

The conflict began after Hamas militants attacked southern Israel on 7 October 2023, killing around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking 251 hostages. While most hostages have since been released in negotiated ceasefire deals, the war has continued with mounting civilian casualties and growing international concern.

(With AP inputs)