Israeli troops fired on a gathering of Palestinians in Gaza City, resulting in over 100 casualties, as witnesses reported on Thursday. This incident added to the death toll of more than 30,000 since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas conflict, according to health officials.
Initial reports from hospital sources suggested an Israeli strike, but witnesses later clarified that Israeli troops opened fire as people attempted to access food supplies from trucks. Israeli officials admitted to firing on the crowd, citing perceived threats as the reason, though they preferred to remain anonymous while providing details.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas, which began with an attack by Hamas on October 7, has primarily targeted Gaza City and its surrounding areas. This offensive has caused extensive destruction and isolation in the region, making humanitarian aid delivery challenging.
Despite these difficulties, a significant aid delivery reached northern Gaza recently, marking the first substantial assistance in a month. However, aid groups emphasize the near-impossibility of delivering humanitarian aid in most parts of Gaza due to ongoing hostilities, breakdowns in public order, and overwhelming crowds of desperate people.
Witness testimonies shed light on the dire situation faced by Palestinians in Gaza. Kamel Abu Nahel, being treated for a gunshot wound, recounted the desperate attempt to access food after enduring months of hardship. He described Israeli troops opening fire on the crowd, causing chaos and injuries.
Another witness, Alaa Abu Daiya, reported gunfire and even tank shelling during the incident. The overwhelmed medical response struggled to cope with the casualties, with insufficient ambulances leading to some wounded being transported in donkey carts.
The toll of the incident was devastating, with over 100 people killed and around 760 wounded, according to the Health Ministry. This event was labeled a “massacre” by the ministry, reflecting the severity of the situation. Moreover, the ongoing conflict has resulted in a staggering death toll of 30,035 Palestinians, with thousands more wounded.
The indiscriminate nature of the casualties, including women and children, highlights the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza.
Efforts to mitigate the crisis and halt the conflict are underway, with international mediators working to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
The urgency is underscored by the looming threat of further casualties, particularly if Israel proceeds with plans to attack Rafah, a city sheltering a significant portion of Gaza’s population. However, reaching a consensus between the conflicting parties has proven challenging, as they remain far apart in their demands.
Amidst the diplomatic efforts, humanitarian organizations continue to grapple with the logistical challenges of delivering aid to Gaza, despite claims by Israel that there are no restrictions on aid entry, bottlenecks persist, hindering the distribution process.
The United Nations has cited logistical issues and security concerns as major obstacles to aid distribution, with the recent cessation of police protection further complicating matters. As the crisis deepens, the need for urgent action to address the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza becomes increasingly pressing.
