JOHN Swinney has condemned an "unbearable" attack which saw at least 79 Palestinians killed while waiting for aid trucks to arrive.
On Sunday, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) reported large crowds came under gunfire near the Zikim crossing with Israel as 25 aid trucks carrying "vital food assistance" were arriving.
Medical teams said that 79 people were killed and more than 150 people were injured, many of them in critical condition.
A statement published by the WFP said that civilians came under fire from Israeli tanks, snipers and other gunfire as the aid convoy approached.
The agency condemned the "violent incident" as it highlighted the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, pointing towards around 90,000 woman and children in the enclave who are malnourished.
"We are deeply concerned and saddened by this tragic incident resulting in the loss of countless lives. Many more suffered life-threatening injuries," the statement said.
The agency added: "These people were simply trying to access food to feed themselves and their families on the brink of starvation. This terrible incident underscores the increasingly dangerous conditions under which humanitarian operations are forced to be conducted in Gaza.
"Today’s violent incident comes despite assurances from Israeli authorities that humanitarian operational conditions would improve; including that armed forces will not be present nor engage at any stage along humanitarian convoy routes.
"There should never, ever, be armed groups near or on our aid convoys, as reiterated on many occasions to all parties to the conflict.
"Shootings near humanitarian missions, convoys and food distributions must stop immediately.
"Any violence involving civilians seeking humanitarian aid is completely unacceptable."
First Minister John Swinney shared the statement on social media as he said: "This statement @WFP is unbearable to read.
This statement @WFP is unbearable to read. The international community must require the Israeli Government to stop these attacks and there must be a ceasefire now to allow humanitarian aid to flow. https://t.co/sALpZfp2Ql
— John Swinney (@JohnSwinney) July 21, 2025
It comes after Swinney wrote to Prime Minister Keir Starmer urging him to support the evacuation of injured Palestinian children to hospitals in Scotland.
The First Minister said that the Scottish Government is looking to medically evacuate children suffering from injuries caused by Israel's ongoing genocide in [[Gaza]], but that this "requires the support of the UK Government".
Over the weekend, the First Minister said he was "extremely disappointed" as he was yet to receive a response from Starmer, two weeks after writing to him.
