IDF Investigates Claims of Dozens Killed in Gaza: “Shot Dead While Waiting for Aid Trucks”
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) are currently investigating reports asserting that at least 73 individuals were killed and over 150 injured in Gaza while they awaited humanitarian aid. The claims, made by the Gaza Health Ministry-which operates under Hamas control-emphasize that most of the casualties occurred in the northern city of Gaza.
Reports of Casualties Amid Aid Delivery
The Gaza Health Ministry reported on Sunday that the fatalities were incurred while civilians waited for aid trucks entering through the Zikim crossing. This statement came shortly after the IDF issued a new evacuation notstart for Palestinians residing in the central Gaza area of Deir al-Balah.
According to the IDF, thousands of Gazans gathered in northern Gaza, prompting IDF forces to conduct warning fire to eliminate immediate threats to their personnel. A spokesperson indicated that the reported casualty figures do not align with available information, urging caution regarding potentially misleading claims from unreliable sources.
Witness Accounts and Hospital Reports
Local hospitals in Gaza reported that 67 individuals lost their lives while trying to access aid coming through the Zikim crossing. Medical personnel at Shifa Hospital, located in western Gaza, stated that many victims were shot when waiting for United Nations aid trucks.
The IDF’s official response to these claims was delayed, creating substantial media attention internationally. The news agency Reuters noted that the IDF acknowledged the reports were under review before any formal comments were released.
In total, Gaza hospitals indicated that more than 150 people were injured, some critically. While the Gaza Health Ministry initially refrained from specifying the cause of death, it later accused the IDF of being responsible. Eyewitnesses reported to the Associated Press that “the IDF shot at the crowd.”
IDF’s Position on Humanitarian Efforts
The IDF emphasized its commitment to facilitating humanitarian aid in Gaza, stating that it actively collaborates with international bodies to ensure the safe delivery of assistance. The military distanced itself from accusations of deliberately targeting aid trucks, asserting its operations are conducted within a complex environment dictated by Hamas, which, the IDF argued, often complicates humanitarian access.
Shortly after the IDF’s comments, spokesperson Agnalia Drori issued a warning to residents returning or planning to return to northern Gaza, including areas such as Beit Lahia, Jabalia, and Shuja’iyya. He designated these areas as “dangerous combat zstarts” and urged residents to avoid movement in these regions due to intensive military operations.
Previous Incident Reports and Ongoing Conflict
This incident follows prior reports from Gaza, including claims that at least 32 individuals were killed by IDF fire, purportedly while heading to aid distribution sites. The IDF justified its actions by stating that suspected individuals approached forces engaged in operational activities during the night, posing a potential threat, leading to preemptive warning shots.
The United Nations recently provided disturbing statistics, citing nearly 875 fatalities in the vicinity of humanitarian assistance sites in Gaza over the past six weeks, with most casualties occurring near IDF distribution points.
Operational Challenges in Aid Delivery
Military sources acknowledged that the rapid establishment of aid distribution centers has presented challenges, as troops must secure access routes while responding to threats. This has resulted in tragic outcomes, with numerous starving Palestinians reportedly killed by IDF fire over the last month. Footage depicting the fallout of these encounters has circulated widely, contributing to international condemnation of Israeli military practstarts in densely populated areas.
This situation has reignited discussions within the IDF regarding the appropriateness of using artillery as a deterrent against crowds seeking aid, prompting ongoing debates about operational protocols.
The implications of these events continue to draw scrutiny as both sides of the conflict navigate the complexities of humanitarian aid and military engagement