Tragedy struck northern Gaza on Thursday as Israeli forces opened fire, resulting in the deaths of over 100 people. The incident unfolded as Palestinian civilians gathered around food aid trucks, with conflicting accounts emerging from both Palestinian officials and Israeli military sources.
According to eyewitnesses, the chaos erupted when a convoy of trucks carrying much-needed aid arrived at Haroun Al Rasheed Street in western Gaza City’s Sheikh Ajleen neighborhood. As people swarmed around the trucks, Israeli forces allegedly began firing, leading to panic and confusion.
Eyewitnesses reported that many victims were tragically killed when they were run over by the aid trucks amid the chaos. As the trucks attempted to flee the area, further casualties occurred as vehicles collided accidentally.
Khader Al Za’anoun, a local journalist present at the scene, emphasized that the violence ensued only after Israeli forces initiated gunfire.
In contrast, the Israeli military asserted that live fire was employed in response to a perceived threat posed by the approaching crowd. An Israeli official stated that troops responded with live fire as the crowd’s behavior posed a danger to the soldiers.
The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, condemned the bloodshed at the food aid site, where the Gaza health ministry reported a death toll exceeding 100. While the UN was not present during the incident, Guterres called for a thorough investigation into the tragic events.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson, Lt. Col. Peter Lerner, clarified that the aid trucks involved were part of international aid efforts, emphasizing the need to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Amidst escalating tensions, Guterres expressed dismay over the toll taken by the conflict, with over 1,200 deaths in Israel and more than 30,000 fatalities in Gaza as of February 29. The situation remains dire, with countless individuals trapped under the rubble and thousands more injured, underscoring the urgent need for a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
