At least 20 Palestinians have been killed and 180 others wounded after Israeli forces targeted people as they waited for humanitarian relief in Gaza City, Al Jazeera reports.

The attack in devastated northern Gaza occurred at Kuwait Square, east of the Zaytoun neighbourhood, Al Jazeera Arabic’s Ismail Abu al-Ghoul reports.

Israeli tanks fired shells and live rounds at Palestinians in the area. “The situation is very critical,” he said.

Civil defence spokesman Mahmoud Basal said rescue crews have been unable to reach the scene as a result of the Israeli forces preventing entry.