At least 19 people were killed and 23 others were injured when Israeli forces reportedly opened fire on Gaza residents who were waiting for humanitarian aid at the Kuwait roundabout in Gaza City on Saturday, according to the Government Media Office in Gaza. The incident occurred when a crowd of hungry people gathered in a remote location, posing no threat to the Israeli occupation.

The Government Media Office in Gaza accused the Israeli army and tanks of firing machine guns at the civilians who were waiting for bags of flour and aid. The victims, mostly desperate individuals looking to feed their families, were caught off guard by the sudden attack.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) responded to these claims, stating that reports of attacking dozens of Gazans at an aid convoy were inaccurate. The IDF assured that a thorough review of the incident is underway. It is noteworthy that the Kuwait roundabout in Gaza City has become a well-known distribution point for aid trucks, attracting large crowds of people in dire need of supplies.

Both Gazan authorities and local journalist Khader Al-Za'anoun, who is working for CNN on the ground, confirmed that the deceased and wounded were taken to Al-Ahli Baptist hospital, east of Gaza City.

Captain Mahmoud Basal, a spokesperson for the Gaza Civil Defense Directorate, firmly blamed the casualties on the Israeli forces, stating that they deliberately targeted the residents seeking food for their families and children.

Contrary to the Gaza government's allegations, the IDF released a statement claiming that there were no aerial strikes on the convoy and no incidents of IDF forces firing at the people at the aid convoy. According to the IDF, the convoy was intercepted and looted by hundreds of Gazans as it approached the designated distribution point, north of the humanitarian corridor.

In a CNN video filmed at the hospital after the incident, relatives of the victims expressed their anguish, sharing stories about their loved ones who were waiting for flour and food when they were attacked by Israeli forces. The lack of international protection was questioned by Ahmad Al-Ghoul, who lost his cousin in the attack. He stated that his cousin, who had 15 dependents to care for, went out to feed his family.

Videos shared on social media showed numerous wounded people being carried away from the area on makeshift stretchers, and one person appearing to be dead. Tragically, deadly attacks on crowds of civilians seeking aid have been reported in recent weeks, with the Government Media Office stating that at least 400 people have been killed in similar incidents since the beginning of the war. It should be noted that CNN cannot independently verify these numbers due to restricted media access to the Gaza strip.

The Palestinian Internal Security Forces in Gaza City had issued a warning last week, prohibiting gatherings at the Kuwait roundabout to protect lives from the frequent mass killings carried out by Israeli forces. However, it remains unclear why aid was being distributed in that particular area on Saturday.

The incident has sparked outrage among activists and calls for international intervention to ensure the safety of Gaza residents seeking essential supplies. The incident is under investigation, and further updates are awaited to determine the circumstances surrounding this tragic event.