At least 112 Palestinians killed and 760 injured during Gaza aid drop
By Paul Adams & David Gritten
Date: 29 February 2024
The Israeli military released aerial video showing hundreds of Palestinians crowding around aid lorries.
At least 112 Palestinians have been reported dead and 760 injured in tragic events during a recent aid drop in Gaza. The incident took place on the coastal road southwest of Gaza City, with Israeli tanks present. Israeli military tanks fired warning shots, but did not strike the lorries. Most of the casualties were a result of trampling or being run over.
Hamas, the Palestinian militant group, has disputed Israel’s account, claiming “undeniable” evidence of Israeli forces directly targeting and firing at the civilians. The incident has raised international concerns, leading to a closed-door emergency meeting of the UN Security Council. Algeria, the Arab representative, put forth a draft statement blaming Israeli forces for “opening fire.” Although the motion was supported by 14 of the 15 council members, the United States blocked it, stating that the facts of the incident remain unclear.
Tensions and Implications
Israeli soldiers opened fire on civilians, attempting to access food aid, which has been deemed “unjustifiable” by France. The incident has a potential impact on ongoing mediation efforts and talks to secure a new ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Qatar. These talks also involve negotiations for the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas.
International Reactions
United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, condemned the incident and highlighted the urgent need for assistance in Gaza. US President Joe Biden has expressed concern that the incident may complicate efforts to broker a temporary ceasefire. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas described the incident as a “heinous massacre,” while the UN has again called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and the unconditional release of all hostages.
Desperate Situation in Gaza
Gaza has been severely affected by the ongoing conflict, resulting in a dire humanitarian crisis. The north of the territory, in particular, faces a looming famine, with an estimated 300,000 people living in conditions of scarce food and clean water. The recent incident followed a suspension of aid deliveries by the World Food Programme due to security concerns. The UN warns that 576,000 people across Gaza, which represents a quarter of the population, face catastrophic levels of food insecurity. Additionally, alarming levels of malnutrition and starvation affect one in six children aged two and under in the north of Gaza.
Stay tuned for further updates.
