A Palestinian woman looks on as people injured in Israeli fire at a food aid distribution point set up by the privately-run Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) on the Salaheddin road, receive care at Al-Awda hospital in the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. AFP
"France condemns the Israeli fire that last night hit civilians gathered around an aid distribution centre in Gaza, causing several dozen dead and wounded," the foreign ministry said.
In a second such incident, a civil defence spokesman also reported Israeli fire killing a further 25 people seeking rations in south Gaza later in the day.
According to figures issued on Tuesday by the Palestinian health ministry in the Gaza Strip, at least 516 people have been killed and nearly 3,800 wounded by Israeli fire while seeking rations since late May.
The territory of more than two million people is suffering from famine-like conditions after Israel blocked all supplies from early March to the end of May and continues to impose restrictions, according to human rights groups.
The aid is being distributed by US- and Israeli-backed, privately run aid group Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which was brought into the Palestinian territory at the end of May to replace UN agencies.
The United Nations and major aid groups have refused to cooperate with the foundation over concerns it was designed to cater to Israeli military objectives.
"France reiterates its full support for United Nations agencies and their humanitarian partners, who have proven their integrity and ability to deliver aid in full respect of humanitarian principles," the ministry said.
"Humanitarian aid must not be exploited for political or military purposes," it added.
"France calls on the Israeli government to allow immediate, massive, and unhindered access to humanitarian aid in Gaza."
* This story was edited by Ahram Online.
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