US 'urgently seeking additional information' into attack on Palestinians waiting for aid

By Iclal Turan

WASHINGTON (AA) - The US said Thursday it is "urgently seeking additional information" about Israel’s massacre of Palestinians who were waiting for humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip.

"We have been in touch with the Israeli government since early this morning and understand that an investigation is underway. We will be monitoring that investigation closely and pressing for answers.

"When it comes to establishing facts on the ground, we are urgently seeking additional information on exactly what took place," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters.

Calling the attack on people who are waiting for humanitarian aid a "tragic event," Miller said it also "underscores the importance of expanding and sustaining the flow of humanitarian assistance into Gaza in response to the dire humanitarian situation, including to the potential temporary cease-fire as part of a hostage deal."

"If there's anything that the aerial footage of today's incident makes clear, it is just how desperate the situation on the ground is," he added.

The death toll of Palestinians killed by the Israeli army while waiting for aid early Thursday rose to 112 and is likely to climb, the enclave's Health Ministry told Anadolu.

The attack occurred at dawn as hundreds of Palestinians were waiting to receive aid near the al-Nablusi roundabout area, south of Gaza City, when they came under Israeli fire, according to witnesses.

Israel has launched a deadly military offensive on the Gaza Strip since an Oct. 7 Hamas attack, which Tel Aviv said killed less than 1,200 people.

At least 30,035 Palestinians have since been killed and more than 70,457 others injured amid mass destruction and shortages of necessities.