Aid 'death trap'

31 die near hub but Israelis deny targeting civilians

- BY MATTHEW YOUNG

AT least 31 people have reportedly been killed and 175 injured by Israeli forces close to an aid distribution centre in Gaza.

Witnesses claimed troops opened fire at a roundabout close to the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation hub, the new group backed by Israel and the US.

But Palestinian and Hamas-linked media claim the killings came in an airstrike. Israel denied it was involved.

United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine chief Philippe Lazzarini claimed distribution in Gaza "has become a death trap", amid fears many Palestinians are close to famine.

The aid hub is at Rafah in southern Gaza, an area controlled by Israeli forces.