“Residents gathered by trucks were trampled during the looting.”
In response to allegations that the Israeli military conducted an airstrike on civilians waiting for relief supplies, they refuted the claim by saying, “They only fired warning shots,” and that they were trampled to death while looting relief supplies.
According to the Times of Israel on the 29th (local time), Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman Daniel Hagari said, “This morning, the IDF coordinated a convoy of 38 trucks to provide additional humanitarian assistance to residents of the northern Gaza Strip.”
Spokesperson Hagari explained that they attempted to secure a humanitarian route with tanks so that the convoy could safely reach its destination, and that an unmanned aerial vehicle was launched to provide accurate situational information.
According to video provided by the IDF, a group quickly followed the aid truck and stopped it, after which residents gathered around the truck.
“Thousands of people crowded into trucks as humanitarian supplies were heading towards the people of Gaza, and some started violently pushing and trampling other residents and looting the goods,” Hagari said. “Dozens of people were killed and injured in this unfortunate incident.” He explained.
He continued, “The tank guarding the convoy saw the residents being trampled and carefully fired a few warning shots to disperse the crowd.” “I decided to retreat to avoid it,” he said.
He added, “We have been carrying out the same operation without any problems for the past four nights, but this is the first time this has happened. We are well aware of the suffering of innocent residents, and that is why we are seeking ways to expand humanitarian efforts.”
Earlier, the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry announced that 70 people were killed and 280 injured in an airstrike targeting Palestinian residents waiting for relief supplies.
As the war in Gaza continues for nearly five months, Gaza residents, especially in the north, are facing extreme food shortages, and as a result, incidents of looting of humanitarian convoys are frequent.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.