GAZA STRIP: Authorities in Gaza Strip said on Thursday that Israeli forces had killed 20 people waiting for humanitarian aid to be distributed, as Israel pressed its blistering assault in the besieged territory.

The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza said the attack occurred on the outskirts of Gaza City, in the north of the territory, with 150 people also wounded.

Hamas said the incident amounted to a `horrific war crime`. Islamic Jihad said they were killed by `artil1ery shells and missiles`.

Witnesses interviewed said they had been targeted by Israeli forces. `People were going to get food and flour as they had nothing to eat,` Abu Ata Basal, the uncle of one of the injured, said.

`Suddenly, tanks appeared and started firing shells at the people, who were cut into pieces.` `We were heading to get flour, and they shelled us four times, and some people were martyred and injured,` said Mohammed al-Rifi, who was injured in his hand and leg.

The casualties were brought to Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City, where bodies were seen lying on the floor, a journalist said.

The incident came a day after the United Nations said tank shelling at a UN shelter in the southern city of Khan Yunis, the current focus of Israel`s military campaign, killed 12 people.

Khan Yunis, the hometown of Hamas`s Gaza chief Yahya Sinwar, faced relentless bombardments, a journalist said. Hamas reported fierce clashes in the centre and west of the city.-AFP