The US is urgently seeking answers from Israel after its troops opened fire on a crowd of Gazans awaiting aid deliveries in the besieged enclave.

The Israeli military said a “stampede” occurred on Thursday when thousands of Gazans surrounded a convoy of 38 aid trucks near Gaza City, leading to dozens of deaths and injuries, including some people being run over

It admitted some of its troops had opened fire, believing they were threatened.

At least 112 people were killed and nearly 300 others were wounded in Thursday’s incident, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry.

State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said Washington was “urgently seeking additional information on exactly what took place”.

“We have been in touch with the Israeli government since early this morning and understand that an investigation is underway. We will be monitoring that investigation closely and pressing for answers,” he said.

Hamas said the incident could jeopardise talks in Qatar aimed at securing a ceasefire and the release of Israeli hostages it is holding. When asked if he thought it would complicate the talks, US President Joe Biden said: “I know it will.”

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