Nearly 800 Gazans killed while trying to get aid: UN

Nearly 800 people have been killed while trying to access humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip over the past six weeks, with most of the killings taking place near the distribution sites run by the U.S.- and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), said UN human rights spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani on Friday.

Speaking to reporters in Geneva, Shamdasani provided an update on the number of Palestinians killed while trying to collect aid run by the GHF as well as around routes of other aid convoys.

Shamdasani raised concerns about respect for international humanitarian law principles, particularly the principles of distinction, proportionality and necessity, in the conduct of hostilities.

"We have seen that of the overall death toll in Gaza, a large proportion are women and children. And again, that raises serious questions about whether these principles are being respected. We've raised concerns about atrocity crimes having been committed and the risk of further atrocity crimes being committed," she said.

"Where people are lining up for essential supplies such as food and medicine, and where they are being attacked, where again, as my colleagues have said, they have a choice between being shot or being fed. This is unacceptable. And it's continuing. I actually have updated figures for you as well on the number of deaths that have resulted from people around aid distribution areas, where people are trying to access aid. Up until the 7th of July, we've recorded now 798 killings, including 615 in the vicinity of the GHF sites and 183, presumably on the routes of aid convoys. This is nearly 800 people who have been killed while trying to access aid. Mostly, the injuries are gunshot injuries," said the spokesperson.

Since May 27, the U.S.- and Israel-backed GHF has unilaterally taken over the distribution of aid supplies in Gaza, bypassing UN agencies. According to witnesses and other sources, Israeli soldiers have frequently shot dead people who were trying to obtain aid supplies near the distribution points run by the GHF.

Nearly 800 Gazans killed while trying to get aid: UN

Nearly 800 Gazans killed while trying to get aid: UN

China is willing to strengthen communication, enhance trust, eliminate interference, and deepen cooperation with Canada to bring bilateral relations forward on a steady and sound track in solid strides under the new circumstances, said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, met with Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand in Beijing on the day.

Referring to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's visit to China, the first by a Canadian prime minister in eight years, Wang said the trip marks a milestone in bilateral ties and signals a turning point in the relationship.

The leaders of the two countries will hold meetings and talks, which are expected to open up new prospects for bilateral relations, said Wang.

The world today is undergoing profound and complex changes, and the impact of China-Canada relations transcends the bilateral scope, Wang noted.

Wang said that China and Canada have different social systems, stemming from different historical and cultural heritage, and based on the choices of their respective people.

He urged both sides to view each other in a rational and amicable manner with an inclusive mindset, handle issues on the basis of mutual respect, focus on the agenda of cooperation, and send positive messages so as to foster optimism, inject greater confidence into the development of bilateral relations, and jointly build a new type of strategic partnership between China and Canada.

Anand said the new Canadian government attaches great importance to relations with China. She also added that Prime Minister Carney looks forward to engaging in in-depth exchanges with Chinese leaders during the visit to set the course for the development of bilateral relations, resume dialogue in various fields, pursue more mutually beneficial outcomes, enhance coordination and cooperation in multilateral affairs, and further advance the strategic partnership between the two countries.

China ready to work for steady, sound ties with Canada: FM