South Africa has strongly condemned what it described as a grave atrocity in southern Gaza after at least 31 Palestinians were killed and more than 200 injured on 1 June near an aid distribution point in Rafah on Sunday.
Reports indicated that Israeli forces opened fire at two aid distribution points in Gaza.
According to Gazas Government Media Office, Israeli tanks targeted thousands of civilians gathered for food in southern Rafah. A separate shooting later occurred near the Netzarim Corridor in Gaza City, killing another person at a similar aid site.
In a media statement issued by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation DIRCO on Sunday, the South African government expressed alarm over eyewitness and medical accounts that Israeli forces opened fire on civilians gathered to receive humanitarian aid.
The Gaza Health Ministry reported that many of the victims sustained gunshot wounds to the head and chest.
