Gaza's Hamas-run interior ministry said Monday (Nov 18) that at least 20 people were killed in an operation targeting "gangs" that looted trucks bringing aid into the war-torn territory threatened with famine.

The Guardian reported that gunmen attacked and looted around 100 trucks carrying desperately needed supplies in the war-hit zone. The attack was reported to be the biggest during 13 months of the Israel-Hamas war.&nbsp;

"More than 20 members of gangs involved in stealing aid trucks were killed in a security operation carried out by security forces in cooperation with tribal committees," the ministry said in a statement, according to AFP.

"Today's security operation will not be the last," it said, adding that "the phenomenon of truck thefts... has severely impacted society and led to signs of famine in southern Gaza".

The statement called the operation "the beginning of a broad security campaign that has been long planned and will expand to include everyone involved in the theft of aid trucks".

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-hamas-war-ex-idf-chief-gadi-eisenkot-loses-third-close-family-member-in-conflict-777058">Israel-Hamas war: Ex-IDF chief Gadi Eisenkot loses third close family member in conflict</a>

A source from the European hospital in the southern Gaza city of Khan Yunis told AFP it had received the bodies of 15 people killed in connection with Monday's anti-looter operation.

An interior ministry source told AFP that 20 were killed in connection with the looting on Saturday of a World Food Programme convoy bringing aid into Gaza.

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a press briefing in New York Monday that only 11 of the convoy's 109 trucks made it to the warehouse after entering through the Kerem Shalom crossing near the Egyptian border.

He said there was "severe damage to the trucks and in some cases, total loss of cargo on the trucks".

Dujarric called the incident the worst instance of looting in Gaza "in terms of volume".

He said the convoy had been initially planned for Sunday, but Israel's military told it "to depart on short notice via an alternate, unfamiliar route".

Israel, which imposed a total siege on the Hamas-ruled territory in the early stages of the war last year, often blames the inability of relief organisations to handle and distribute large quantities of aid.

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Aid distribution is further complicated by shortages of fuel, war-damaged roads and looting, as well as fighting in densely populated areas and the repeated displacement of much of Gaza's 2.4 million people.

Several humanitarian officials told AFP on condition of anonymity that almost half the aid that enters Gaza is looted, especially basic supplies.

(With inputs from agencies)

Gaza's Hamas-run interior ministry said Monday (Nov 18) that at least 20 people were killed in an operation targeting "gangs" that looted trucks bringing aid into the war-torn territory threatened with famine.

Gaza's Hamas-run interior ministry said Monday (Nov 18) that at least 20 people were killed in an operation targeting "gangs" that looted trucks bringing aid into the war-torn territory threatened with famine. The Guardian reported that gunmen attacked and looted around 100 trucks carrying desperately needed supplies in the war-hit zone. The attack was reported to be the biggest during 13 months of the Israel-Hamas war. "More than 20 members of gangs involved in stealing aid trucks were killed in a security operation carried out by security forces in cooperation with tribal committees," the ministry said in a statement, according to AFP. "Today's security operation will not be the last," it said, adding that "the phenomenon of truck thefts... has severely impacted society and led to signs of famine in southern Gaza". The statement called the operation "the beginning of a broad security campaign that has been long planned and will expand to include everyone involved in the theft of aid trucks". Also read | Israel-Hamas war: Ex-IDF chief Gadi Eisenkot loses third close family member in conflict A source from the European hospital in the southern Gaza city of Khan Yunis told AFP it had received the bodies of 15 people killed in connection with Monday's anti-looter operation. An interior ministry source told AFP that 20 were killed in connection with the looting on Saturday of a World Food Programme convoy bringing aid into Gaza. UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a press briefing in New York Monday that only 11 of the convoy's 109 trucks made it to the warehouse after entering through the Kerem Shalom crossing near the Egyptian border. He said there was "severe damage to the trucks and in some cases, total loss of cargo on the trucks". Dujarric called the incident the worst instance of looting in Gaza "in terms of volume". He said the convoy had been initially planned for Sunday, but Israel's military told it "to depart on short notice via an alternate, unfamiliar route". Israel, which imposed a total siege on the Hamas-ruled territory in the early stages of the war last year, often blames the inability of relief organisations to handle and distribute large quantities of aid. Also read | ‘If War Comes’: Sweden, Finland issue survival guides as threat of WW3 looms Aid distribution is further complicated by shortages of fuel, war-damaged roads and looting, as well as fighting in densely populated areas and the repeated displacement of much of Gaza's 2.4 million people. Several humanitarian officials told AFP on condition of anonymity that almost half the aid that enters Gaza is looted, especially basic supplies. (With inputs from agencies)

20 killed in anti-'gang' operation after looting of aid convoy: Gaza ministry

Two Palestinian teenagers were killed by Israeli fire in renewed clashes along the Gaza border on Friday, the health ministry in the Hamas-run enclave said.

Ali al-Ashqar, 17, was shot in the neck along the border fence east of Jabalia in northern Gaza, a health ministry spokesman told AFP.

A second teenager was shot in the stomach east of Gaza City, the spokesman said, later identifying him as Khaled al-Rabaee, 14.

Contacted by AFP, the Israeli army declined to comment on the circumstances surrounding either of the deaths.

But in a statement, it said an estimated 6,200 "rioters and demonstrators" had gathered in locations along the border and thrown "fire bombs and explosive devices" at troops, as well as approaching the fence.

Palestinians have been holding often violent weekly protests along the fortified border fence since March 2018.

The protesters are calling for Israel to end its crippling siege on the coastal enclave as well as demanding the right to return to lands their families fled in 1948, which are now inside Israel.

Israel says any such return would mean its end as a Jewish state and accuses Gaza's Islamist rulers Hamas of using the protests as cover for attacks.

Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra said a further 46 people were wounded by Israeli gunfire on Friday.&nbsp; &nbsp;

United Nations envoy Nickolay Mladenov called the killing of the two teenagers "appalling".

"Israel must calibrate its use of force," he wrote on Twitter, calling on protesters to "be peaceful" and for an end to "the cycle of violence".

At least 308 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire in Gaza since the protests began, the majority during the demonstrations.

Seven Israelis have been killed. The protests have calmed in recent months. Israel and Hamas have fought three wars since 2008.

Two Palestinian teenagers were killed by Israeli fire in renewed clashes along the Gaza border on Friday, the health ministry in the Hamas-run enclave said. Ali al-Ashqar, 17, was shot in the neck along the border fence east of Jabalia in northern Gaza, a health ministry spokesman told AFP.

Two Palestinian teenagers were killed by Israeli fire in renewed clashes along the Gaza border on Friday, the health ministry in the Hamas-run enclave said. Ali al-Ashqar, 17, was shot in the neck along the border fence east of Jabalia in northern Gaza, a health ministry spokesman told AFP. A second teenager was shot in the stomach east of Gaza City, the spokesman said, later identifying him as Khaled al-Rabaee, 14. Contacted by AFP, the Israeli army declined to comment on the circumstances surrounding either of the deaths. But in a statement, it said an estimated 6,200 "rioters and demonstrators" had gathered in locations along the border and thrown "fire bombs and explosive devices" at troops, as well as approaching the fence. Palestinians have been holding often violent weekly protests along the fortified border fence since March 2018. The protesters are calling for Israel to end its crippling siege on the coastal enclave as well as demanding the right to return to lands their families fled in 1948, which are now inside Israel. Israel says any such return would mean its end as a Jewish state and accuses Gaza's Islamist rulers Hamas of using the protests as cover for attacks. Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra said a further 46 people were wounded by Israeli gunfire on Friday. United Nations envoy Nickolay Mladenov called the killing of the two teenagers "appalling". "Israel must calibrate its use of force," he wrote on Twitter, calling on protesters to "be peaceful" and for an end to "the cycle of violence". At least 308 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire in Gaza since the protests began, the majority during the demonstrations. Seven Israelis have been killed. The protests have calmed in recent months. Israel and Hamas have fought three wars since 2008.

Two Palestinian teenagers killed by Israeli fire during clashes: Gaza ministry

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/three-palestinians-killed-by-israeli-fire-gaza-medics-185852">A Palestinian teenager succumbed</a> to his wounds on Monday three days after being shot by Israeli forces during clashes on <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/israel-retaliates-after-rocket-fired-into-gaza-army-189938">the Gaza border</a>, the health ministry in the coastal enclave said.

In a statement, health ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra said Abdul Raouf Salha, 14, "died as a result of his injuries from (Israeli) occupation fire last Friday east of Jabalia" in the northern Gaza Strip.

Palestinians have been taking part in often violent protests at least weekly since March along the Gaza-Israel border.

The demonstrators are calling to be allowed to return to the homes their families fled or were expelled from in territory that is now inside Israel.

Israel accuses the strip's Islamist rulers Hamas of orchestrating the protests and using them as cover for violence.

The Israeli army said Friday around 13,000 Palestinians had taken part in violent "riots" in multiple sites along the border.

It had not responded to a request for comment on the teenager's death on Monday.

At least 243 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since protests began in March.

The majority have been killed during protests and clashes, though others have died in airstrikes or shelling.

Two Israeli soldiers have been killed over the same period, one by a Palestinian sniper and another during a botched special forces operation inside Gaza.

Palestinians have been taking part in often violent protests at least weekly since March along the Gaza-Israel border.

A Palestinian teenager succumbed to his wounds on Monday three days after being shot by Israeli forces during clashes on the Gaza border, the health ministry in the coastal enclave said. In a statement, health ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra said Abdul Raouf Salha, 14, "died as a result of his injuries from (Israeli) occupation fire last Friday east of Jabalia" in the northern Gaza Strip. Palestinians have been taking part in often violent protests at least weekly since March along the Gaza-Israel border. The demonstrators are calling to be allowed to return to the homes their families fled or were expelled from in territory that is now inside Israel. Israel accuses the strip's Islamist rulers Hamas of orchestrating the protests and using them as cover for violence. The Israeli army said Friday around 13,000 Palestinians had taken part in violent "riots" in multiple sites along the border. It had not responded to a request for comment on the teenager's death on Monday. At least 243 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since protests began in March. The majority have been killed during protests and clashes, though others have died in airstrikes or shelling. Two Israeli soldiers have been killed over the same period, one by a Palestinian sniper and another during a botched special forces operation inside Gaza.

Palestinian teenager dies after Israel border clashes: Gaza ministry

A Palestinian was killed by Israeli fire during clashes along the Gaza Strip border on Thursday, the health ministry in the coastal enclave said.

A ministry spokesman said the man, whom he did not name, was shot by Israeli forces during low-level clashes east of Deir al-Balah in central Gaza.

The Israeli army said it was looking into the incident.

At least 220 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since major protests backed by Gaza's Islamist rulers Hamas began in March.

The majority have been shot during protests and clashes, but others have died due to tank fire or air strikes.

One Israeli soldier was killed by a Palestinian sniper.

The often violent demonstrations are usually largest on Fridays, but last week's was the calmest in months amid talk of a truce deal between Hamas and Israel.

Such a deal would see the protests end in exchange for an easing of Israel's blockade of the coastal enclave.

A Palestinian was killed by Israeli fire during clashes along the Gaza Strip border on Thursday, the health ministry in the coastal enclave said. A ministry spokesman said the man, whom he did not name, was shot by Israeli forces during low-level clashes east of Deir al-Balah in central Gaza.

A Palestinian was killed by Israeli fire during clashes along the Gaza Strip border on Thursday, the health ministry in the coastal enclave said. A ministry spokesman said the man, whom he did not name, was shot by Israeli forces during low-level clashes east of Deir al-Balah in central Gaza. The Israeli army said it was looking into the incident. At least 220 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since major protests backed by Gaza's Islamist rulers Hamas began in March. The majority have been shot during protests and clashes, but others have died due to tank fire or air strikes. One Israeli soldier was killed by a Palestinian sniper. The often violent demonstrations are usually largest on Fridays, but last week's was the calmest in months amid talk of a truce deal between Hamas and Israel. Such a deal would see the protests end in exchange for an easing of Israel's blockade of the coastal enclave.

Palestinian killed by Israeli fire in border clashes: Gaza ministry

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20 killed in anti-'gang' operation after looting of aid convoy: Gaza ministry

Two Palestinian teenagers killed by Israeli fire during clashes: Gaza ministry

Palestinian teenager dies after Israel border clashes: Gaza ministry

Palestinian killed by Israeli fire in border clashes: Gaza ministry