Buildings are destroyed in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis after the air strike on Feb. 28, 2024. (Photo: Xinhua)

Ashraf al-Qudra, a spokesman for the Gaza Health Ministry, said the dead and injured were taken to Al-Shifa Hospital, which is overwhelmed and under-equipped.

An Israeli military spokesman said the troops fired in self-defense after Gazans attacked and looted aid trucks that had entered the Gaza Strip early in the morning. He said dozens of Gazans were injured in the chaos, some by being crushed or trampled.

In a statement, Hamas said this incident could lead to the breakdown of current negotiations to reach a ceasefire agreement and release hostages.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned incident and called for “an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and the unconditional release of all hostages.”

Algeria called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council to discuss the Gaza Strip. The meeting took place late Thursday.

The White House said Thursday that Israeli forces opening fire on Palestinians waiting for humanitarian aid south of Gaza City was a "serious incident".

A National Security Council spokesperson said the incident underscored the importance of expanding and sustaining the flow of humanitarian assistance into Gaza, and implementing a temporary ceasefire.

US President Joe Biden discussed the “tragic and alarming incident” in Gaza on Thursday with the leaders of Egypt and Qatar, as well as ways to secure the release of Hamas hostages and carry out a six-week ceasefire, the White House said.