At least 31 killed by Israeli gunfire near aid center in south Gaza: health authority

At least 31 Palestinians were killed on Sunday by Israeli gunfire near a humanitarian aid center in southern Gaza, according to Palestinian sources.

At least 31 people were killed and dozens of others seriously injured on Sunday morning when Israeli forces opened fire near a humanitarian aid distribution point in Rafah, southern Gaza, where residents were gathering to receive aid, Gaza-based health authority said in a statement.

Most of the injuries were in the upper body, and the death toll could rise due to the severity of the wounds, said the medical relief organization in Gaza, adding that ambulances had difficulty reaching the scene due to ongoing Israeli military activities.

Also on Sunday, the Israel Defense Forces said in a statement that it was unaware of the casualties caused by its fire within the humanitarian aid distribution site, and that the matter was still under review.

Israeli media cited military sources as saying that Israeli military operations in the area were aimed at targeting "terrorist elements."

"My brother went there to get some food for his children, but the Israeli army shot him. He just wanted to get a bite to eat for his young children. Why did they shoot him? Why did they [Israel] tell us to get supplies there? Why were people killed when they went? This is a crime. They [Israel] lied to us. This is a crime. They said it was humanitarian aid for civilians -- so why did they treat civilians like this?" said Mohammed, a relative of one of the victims.

"We call on the entire Arab world and the international community to stop this bloodshed disaster. Stop this war. Why is this war completely targeting civilians? We are unarmed and just looking for food and clean drinking water. We went there simply to find something to eat. We have been suffering from a lack of water and food for over a hundred days. Our children are dying of hunger and thirst. People followed the so-called guidance of the Israeli army, but it turned out to be a trap for civilians. Many went there -- all of them were civilians, just looking for food," said Ahmed, a displaced person.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) said on Sunday that a distribution point by the Israeli- American plan was put far south in Rafah. This humiliating system has forced thousands of hungry and desperate people to walk for tens of miles to an area that's all but pulverized due to heavy bombardment by the Israeli Army. The so-called aid distribution has become a death trap.

Israel must lift the siege and allow UN agencies access to bring in aid and distribute it safely. This is the only way to avert mass starvation, including among 1 million children, an official from UNRWA said.

Israel closed border crossings and curtailed the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza on March 2. Limited access has been permitted since May 22.

Israel resumed its assault on Gaza on March 18, following a two-month truce with Hamas. Since then, 4,149 Palestinians had been killed and 12,149 others injured, according to Gaza-based health authorities on Sunday.

At least 31 killed by Israeli gunfire near aid center in south Gaza: health authority

At least 31 killed by Israeli gunfire near aid center in south Gaza: health authority

At least 31 killed by Israeli gunfire near aid center in south Gaza: health authority

At least 31 killed by Israeli gunfire near aid center in south Gaza: health authority

The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.

In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.

"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.

Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.

The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."

Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.

President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.

Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.

Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.

The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.

Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests