Israeli Troops Open Fire on Palestinians Waiting for Food Aid, Dozens Killed
In a tragic turn of events, Israeli troops opened fire on a group of Palestinians who were waiting for food aid in the besieged enclave of Gaza City. The incident resulted in the deaths of dozens of Palestinians and left over 200 others wounded. The Palestinian Foreign Ministry condemned the attack, describing it as a cold-blooded “massacre” and part of Israel’s ongoing “genocidal war”. They called on the international community to urgently intervene and forge a ceasefire to protect civilians.
The citizens had gathered at al-Rashid Street, anticipating the arrival of aid trucks carrying flour. However, instead of receiving much-needed supplies, they were met with gunfire from Israeli troops. Al Jazeera verified footage showing the bodies of the killed and wounded Palestinians being loaded onto trucks, as ambulances were unable to reach the area.
Eyewitnesses recounted the horrifying ordeal, with one witness stating, “We went to get flour. The Israeli army shot at us. There are many martyrs on the ground, and until this moment, we are withdrawing them. There is no first aid.” Israeli tanks then advanced and ran over many of the dead and injured bodies, compounding the tragedy.
The victims were taken to several medical centers, including al-Shifa, Kamal Adwan, Al Ahli, and Jordanian hospitals. However, the overwhelmed hospitals lacked fuel, medicine, and even blood. The situation was described as “beyond any words” by Jadallah Al-Shafei, the head of the nurses department at al-Shifa Hospital.
This mass shooting is not an isolated incident but rather part of a pattern of systematic attacks on hungry people waiting for food aid. Over the past few days, Palestinians gathered near Gaza City have been shot at by Israeli forces. Even aid trucks meant to deliver supplies tragically turned into vehicles carrying the injured and killed.
The dire situation in Gaza has been exacerbated by the inability of aid agencies to deliver supplies to the northern region since January 23. As a result, many Palestinians have embarked on a long trek towards the south by foot. The World Food Programme (WFP) has warned that over 500,000 people in Gaza, or one in four individuals, are at risk of famine. Additionally, one in six children below the age of two is considered acutely malnourished.
Carl Skau, deputy executive director of the WFP, addressed the United Nations Security Council, highlighting the risk of famine and the challenges faced by aid workers on the ground. He described delays at checkpoints, gunfire, violence, looting of food, and overwhelming hunger among the people.
Aid agencies have accused Israel of deliberately delaying deliveries, while Israel denies these allegations. The country has submitted a report to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) detailing measures taken to alleviate suffering in Gaza. However, rights groups argue that Israel has violated the ICJ order issued in January.
Philippe Lazzarini, the head of UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, expressed frustration at the denial of calls to allow food distribution in Gaza amid ongoing hostilities between Israel and Hamas. He warned of a “looming famine” and described the situation as a “man-made disaster”.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas has been ongoing since October 7 when Hamas launched an attack. The offensive has resulted in the deaths of over 30,000 people, predominantly women and children. The recent attack on Palestinians waiting for food aid further highlights the dire humanitarian crisis faced by the people of Gaza.
The international community must urgently intervene to bring about a ceasefire and ensure the delivery of essential supplies to alleviate the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza. The loss of innocent lives and the threat of famine cannot be ignored. It is crucial for all parties involved to prioritize the well-being and safety of civilians and work towards a peaceful resolution to this devastating conflict.
