Foundation: 20 dead at distribution point in Gaza

"According to our current knowledge, 19 of the victims were trampled and one was stabbed," the foundation said. "We have credible reasons to believe that armed and Hamas-linked elements within the crowd deliberately fanned the unrest." The incident reportedly took place at a distribution point in the city of Chan Junis.

GHF employees had identified firearms in the crowd, the foundation said in a statement. A US employee was threatened with a firearm by a person in the crowd during the incident.

The Hamas-run health authority in Gaza spoke of at least 21 deaths. A total of 15 people were trampled and suffocated in a panic that was reportedly triggered by the use of tear gas. The Hamas media office said that nine people had been killed by gunfire.

The claims of both sides cannot be independently verified.

The GHF foundation, which is supported by Israel and the USA, began its work at the end of May following a month-long Israeli blockade of aid deliveries. One of the UN's criticisms is that the foundation operates too few distribution centers and that people there and on the way there are exposed to great danger.

There are repeated reports of fatal incidents near distribution centers. The Israeli army is usually accused of firing shots. According to the UN, hundreds of deaths have already been recorded at GHF distribution centers in the sealed-off Gaza Strip since the end of May.