Live Updates: Dozens of 112 Palestinians killed by Israel 'shot in head'

Friday, March 1, 2024

5:30 GMT — Dozens of 112 Palestinians killed by Israel 'shot in head'

The Palestinian ambassador to the UN has accused Israel of "deliberately and systematically" targeting a humanitarian convoy, saying according to his information, dozens of the 112 Palestinians killed were shot in the head.

Riyad Mansour told reporters ahead of a closed emergency meeting of the UN Security Council afternoon that according to his information, every few days, trucks with humanitarian supplies, including flour, sugar and other basic necessities, travelled to the same place in northern Gaza to give desperately needed help to Palestinians in need.

He said the trucks did the same thing earlier on Thursday, and thousands of Palestinians were there.

04:45 GMT — EU slams Israel's 'carnage' that left 112 Palestinians dead

European Union foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell has denounced Israel's killing of 112 Palestinians during an aid delivery in northern besieged Gaza, calling the deaths "totally unacceptable".

"I am horrified by news of yet another carnage among civilians in Gaza desperate for humanitarian aid," he said on social media platform X.

"These deaths are totally unacceptable." Israel's firing and shelling, according to witnesses and medics, also wounded 760 besieged and starving Palestinians.

04:00 GMT — Macron calls for immediate ceasefire in Gaza

French President Emmanuel Macron has called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza on Friday and said the situation in Gaza is "terrible".

"Deep indignation at the images coming from Gaza where civilians have been targeted by Israeli soldiers. I express my strongest condemnation of these shootings and call for truth, justice, and respect for international law," Macron said in a post on the social platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

03:21 GMT — Colombia suspends Israel arms purchases after carnage

Accusing Israel of "genocide" in besieged Gaza, Colombia's President Gustavo Petro has suspended Israeli weapons purchases after dozens of people died in a scramble for food aid in the tiny Palestinian enclave.

Petro made his announcement after Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinians scrambling for food aid in a chaotic melee that the Health Ministry in the blockaded enclave said killed some 112 people.

"Asking for food, more than 100 Palestinians were killed by [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu. This is called genocide and recalls the Holocaust," Petro wrote on X.

03:00 GMT — Media outlets call for protection of Gaza journalists

More than 30 news organisations have signed an open letter expressing solidarity with journalists working in besieged Gaza, calling for their protection and freedom to report.

The letter, coordinated by the Committee to Protect Journalists, was signed by AFP, AP and Reuters news agencies, as well as other media outlets, including BBC News, Israel's Haaretz, Nawaiwaqt Group of Pakistan, Al-Araby Al-Jadeed and others.

"For nearly five months, journalists and media workers in Gaza — overwhelmingly, the sole source of on-the-ground reporting from within the Palestinian territory — have been working in unprecedented conditions," the letter said.

For our live updates from Thursday, February 29, click here.