Thousands of Palestinians faced death and injury as they gathered along the coastal road in Gaza, desperate for aid supplies to feed their families. Eyewitnesses and a doctor reported that Israeli forces opened fire on the crowd as aid trucks arrived in the predawn hours on Thursday.
Mohammed Al-Sholi, who had camped out overnight in hopes of getting food for his family, described the harrowing scene, saying, “I saw people falling to the ground after being shot and others simply took the food items that were with them and continued running for their lives.”
More than 100 Palestinians were killed, according to Gazan health officials, with Israeli forces claiming they fired in self-defense when the crowd became unruly. However, witnesses reported seeing direct gunfire at people trying to reach the aid trucks.
The chaotic scene unfolded as people raced towards the convoy in desperation, with some risking their lives to get food and supplies. Despite the fear and panic, many continued to rush towards the trucks, with some being hit by gunfire and aid trucks in the chaos.
The aftermath saw scores of people with gunshot wounds being treated at hospitals, with medical staff struggling to provide adequate care due to a lack of resources. Dr. Eid Sabbah, head of nursing at Kamal Adwan Hospital, stated that many of the wounded required surgery and specialized treatment that was not available in Gaza.
The tragic events have once again highlighted the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, where residents have been suffering from severe hunger and lack of basic necessities for months. The international community has been called upon to intervene and provide assistance to prevent further loss of life in the region.
