Israel-Gaza war: More than 100 reported killed in crowd near Gaza aid convoy
At least 112 Palestinians are said to have been killed and 760 injured trying to get desperately needed aid in Gaza.
In a tragic incident near Gaza City, a convoy of lorries carrying Egyptian aid faced a chaotic situation. Israeli tanks were present, and while the military claims warning shots were fired, some Palestinians argue that direct fire occurred. According to a Palestinian witness, many casualties resulted from people being run over as the lorries tried to move forward.
Gaza’s health ministry, run by Hamas, reported 112 dead and 760 injured, accusing Israel of a “massacre.” The UN Security Council has called an emergency meeting, and international reactions condemn the use of force against civilians seeking food access. President Joe Biden expressed concern about the impact on ceasefire efforts.
This incident unfolded amidst a broader conflict that started on October 7. The health ministry reports over 30,000 casualties, including 21,000 children and women killed, with thousands missing or injured. The UN warns of a looming famine in the north of Gaza, affecting around 300,000 people.
The Israeli military launched a campaign against Hamas, deemed a terrorist organization by various countries, following attacks that killed 1,200 in southern Israel and took hostages. The specific incident occurred at the Nabulsi roundabout, southwest of Gaza City, involving a convoy of 30 aid lorries.
Amidst this grim situation, calls for an immediate and sustained ceasefire intensify, with the international community expressing horror at the unfolding humanitarian crisis.
According to the IDF’s chief spokesman, Rear Adm Daniel Hagari, a tragic incident occurred during a humanitarian aid convoy in Gaza. Some people became violent, pushing and trampling others, resulting in dozens of casualties. The IDF deployed tanks and fired warning shots to disperse the crowd, but withdrew when the situation escalated.
Hagari emphasized that no IDF strike targeted the aid convoy; instead, they were attempting to assist its passage. Another IDF spokesman mentioned that civilians at a checkpoint ignored warnings and, fearing a threat, the soldiers responded with limited force.
A Palestinian witness told the BBC about panic in the crowd, with drivers trying to move forward. Sadly, many casualties occurred as people were run over in the chaos.
Hamas disputes the IDF’s account, presenting what they call “undeniable” evidence of direct firing at civilians, including alleged headshots aimed at immediate killing. The incident resulted in numerous casualties, overwhelming the nearby al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. According to a witness at the hospital, he had gone to Nabulsi roundabout seeking flour for his family when Israeli soldiers allegedly opened fire, leading to casualties. Many of the injured individuals at Kamal Adwan and al-Awda hospitals reportedly suffered from bullet or shrapnel wounds, as per officials.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, based in the West Bank, accused Israeli forces of a “heinous massacre” in Gaza. UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the incident, calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and the release of all hostages. The north of Gaza, targeted in the Israeli ground offensive, faces widespread devastation and a lack of humanitarian aid. The World Food Programme had to suspend deliveries due to safety concerns. A senior UN official warned of a dire situation, with 576,000 people (25% of Gaza’s population) experiencing food insecurity, and one in six young children in the north suffering from acute malnutrition. Tragically, ten children died from dehydration and malnutrition in recent days.