Outcry echoed globally following a tragic incident near an aid convoy in war-torn Gaza, where Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian civilians vying for food assistance. The Hamas-run health ministry reported over 100 casualties as chaos ensued during the distribution.
The Israeli military described the events as a “stampede” as throngs of desperate Gazans swarmed around the convoy of 38 aid trucks, resulting in numerous deaths and injuries, with some individuals reportedly being struck by the vehicles.
Although Israeli sources cited concerns about a perceived threat, Gaza’s health ministry decried the incident as a “massacre,” with the death toll reaching 112 and over 750 individuals wounded.
In response, French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the violence and urged transparency, justice, and adherence to international law. Iran decried the “barbaric attack” by Israel, while China expressed shock, and the Arab League criticized the blatant disregard for human life.
US President Joe Biden expressed concerns about conflicting reports surrounding the incident, which transpired early Thursday in northern Gaza amidst ongoing hostilities between Israel and Hamas.
A US State Department spokesperson underscored the dire circumstance witnessed in aerial footage, emphasizing the urgent need for increased humanitarian aid access to the region.
These tragic events unfolded against a backdrop of escalating food insecurity, as warnings of an impending famine in northern Gaza were recently sounded by the World Food Programme during a briefing at the UN Security Council.
