The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) has denied it fired shots at Gazan civilians waiting humanitarian aid trucks on Thursday.

A convoy of 31 humanitarian aid trucks containing food and supplies intended for distribution to civilians in Gaza City was being escorted by the IDF. As aid trucks were entering Kuwait Square, armed terrorists opened fire at the civilians waiting for supplies. The gunmen continued to shoot while the crowd looted the vehicles. A number of civilians were also run over by the trucks during the mayhem.

“While the IDF continues its humanitarian effort to supply food and humanitarian aid to the civilians of the Gaza Strip, Hamas terrorists continue to harm Gazan civilians who are seeking food – and Hamas is blaming Israel for it,” an IDF spokesperson said.

Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry reports at least 21 people were killed and 150 were wounded in the incident.

Israel has ramped up efforts in facilitating humanitarian aid as it prepares for a ground invasion into Gaza’s southern city of Rafah. Six aid trucks with supplies from the World Food Organization have just entered the northern part of the Gaza Strip through a security fence known as the 96th gate, and many more are reportedly expected to follow.