PALESTINE – At least 51 Palestinians were on Wednesday killed by Israeli fire that targeted civilian aid seekers in Gaza Strip.

The Israeli army killed 51 people and injured 648 others while they were waiting for aid near the Zikim area in the northwestern Gaza Strip within three hours, the Gaza Media office said in a statement.

Local reports also said that the Israeli army opened fire on aid-seekers in an aid distribution site near the Netzarim Corridor.

According to the latest figures released by the health ministry, at least 1,179 people were killed and over 7,950 injured by Israeli army fire while seeking aid in the Gaza Strip.

The army also shelled western Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, early Wednesday. No casualties have been reported so far.