In the face of Israeli tanks, crowds gathered around a convoy of vehicles on the beachfront road southwest of Gaza City.
According to Israel’s military, tanks fired warning rounds but missed the lorries, and several of the victims were run over or trampled.
Israel’s claim was denied by Hamas, which asserted that “undeniable” evidence of “direct firing at citizens” existed.
The UN Security Council called an emergency meeting behind closed doors to discuss the event. Algeria, the body’s Arab representative, presented a draft statement accusing Israeli soldiers of “opening fire” during the meeting.
The US blocked the proposal, despite the fact that 14 of the 15 council members agreed.
