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A Jordanian army plane drops aid supplies over the northern Gaza Strip

Photo: AFP

The United Nations is calling for an investigation into the deaths of dozens of people as aid arrived in the Gaza Strip.

This was said by a spokesman for UN Secretary General António Guterres in New York.

"There will be a time of responsibility," added Stéphane Dujarric.

According to the Hamas-controlled health authority in the Gaza Strip, more than a hundred people are believed to have been killed and several hundred injured.

The Egyptian government accused Israel of opening fire on the waiting crowd.

Saudi Arabia and Jordan also criticized Israel for the incident.

The Israeli army had said that numerous residents had crowded around arriving trucks with relief supplies in order to loot them.

Dozens were killed and injured due to jostling and crowding.

The Israeli military confirmed to the Haaretz daily newspaper that the soldiers fired.

Accordingly, the soldiers felt threatened after people surrounded trucks.

UN Secretary General Guterres condemned the incident.

"The desperate civilians in Gaza urgently need help, including those in the besieged north, where the United Nations has been unable to provide aid for more than a week," it said.

USA and Germany demand access to humanitarian aid

The USA is also demanding quick answers.

US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said the US would continue to make it clear to Israel that all possible measures must be taken to enable further aid deliveries to Gaza.

The incident also underscores the urgency of a hostage agreement, Miller said.

Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) also called on the Israeli government to “immediately allow safe and unhindered access for humanitarian aid.”

Humanitarian aid for the Gaza Strip will be increased again by another 20 million euros, said Baerbock.

In order to support the supply of supplies to the people in the Gaza Strip, the Foreign Minister also announced German participation in the airlift: “If not enough trucks can get through, help will have to come to the people from the air if necessary.

Together with our partners, especially Jordan, we also want to participate in airdrops of humanitarian aid.

czl/dpa