**Israeli Military Kills 23 Palestinians in Gaza, Witnesses Say**
In a tragic incident, Israeli troops have killed 23 Palestinians in Gaza after opening fire on crowds that gathered near an aid distribution site. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claimed that they fired warning shots after people gathered in the area, but witnesses dispute this account.
**Eyewitnesses Describe Chaos and Bloodshed**
According to eyewitnesses, the Israeli military opened fire on Tuesday on a gathering of Palestinians who were trying to obtain flour from a nearby World Food Programme site. More than 50 Palestinians were killed or injured in the incident, which is now being reviewed by the Israeli military. The Hamas health ministry has reported that over 400 Palestinians have been killed in similar incidents since late May.
**Aid Distribution Site Dispute**
The GHF (Gaza Humanitarian Forum) has denied any shooting near its aid distribution sites. However, Unicef’s James Elder has warned that a lack of public clarity about when these sites are open is leading to mass casualties. He cited cases where information was shared on social networks that a particular site was closed, while the internet service in Gaza was down, and people were unable to access it.
**Water Crisis Deepens**
Unicef has also warned that Gaza faces a man-made dry spell as its water system is collapsing. Only 40% of the drinking water production plants are still operational, according to Mr Elder. “Children are going to start dying of thirst,” he said, adding that Gaza is way below emergency standards for drinking water.
**Renewed Strikes and Security Concerns**
The renewed strikes by Israeli warplanes on Tuesday targeted a two-storey home belonging to the Ayash Family in central Gaza. Local sources speculate that these movements may be linked to the targeting of Hamas security forces who have recently reemerged in parts of Gaza to reassert their control amid a breakdown of law and order.
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