The president of the USA Joe Biden discuss about it “tragic and disturbing incident” which took place today Thursday in the city of Gaza with the Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and the president of Egypt Abdel Fattah al-Sisi during the separate telephone conversations he had with them.

Biden also discussed ways to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas and an “immediate and sustainable” ceasefire lasting at least six weeks, the White House announced.

Health authorities in Gaza announced that more than 110 Palestinians were killed by Israeli forces while waiting for food aid to be delivered, but Israel disputed the casualty count and said many were swept away by the trucks carrying the aid.

The White House also said that the events in northern Gaza, where Palestinians have died while waiting for aid to be delivered, are “extremely worrying”.

“This latest incident must be thoroughly investigated,” White House spokeswoman Olivia Dalton told reporters aboard Air Force One. “This incident highlights the need for expanded humanitarian aid to reach Gaza.”

Speaking of a “hopeless situation”, the US State Department is demanding “answers” from Israel after these deaths during an aid distribution that ended tragically.

“We have been in contact with the Israeli government since early this morning and understand that an investigation is ongoing. We will be following this investigation closely and will press for answers.”said his spokesman Matthew Miller.

The US is urgently requesting information on what happened today in northern Gaza, where health authorities said more than 110 Palestinians were shot dead by Israeli forces while awaiting the delivery of food aid, the State Department said, adding that the incident underscored the urgent need for a deal to free of the hostages.

The State Department continues to make clear to Israel that all possible steps must be taken to allow more aid into Gaza, Miller added.