Israeli military confirms troops fired at individuals in tragic aid distribution event but refutes targeting the convoy
The Israeli Defense Forces have disclosed the results of their preliminary inquiry into a tragic humanitarian aid distribution event, where over 100 civilians lost their lives.
Israel's military investigation into the humanitarian aid incident in Gaza last month concluded that Israeli troops did not target the aid convoy. Instead, they fired at individuals who posed a threat to nearby forces.
The deadly incident, referred to as the "Flour Massacre," resulted in over 100 casualties in northern Gaza. Israeli troops fired near civilians who were collecting food aid from trucks, causing panic among the crowd.
A local journalist in Gaza, Khader Al Za’anoun, was present at the scene and saw what happened. He mentioned that the chaos and confusion started when Israeli troops started shooting, and some people were even hit by trucks in the panic that followed.
The Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza reported that at least 118 people lost their lives and over 700 were injured. This incident is considered one of the deadliest since the conflict in Gaza started. However, CNN is unable to verify these numbers independently.
The IDF reported that during the review, it was determined that IDF troops did not shoot at the humanitarian convoy. Instead, they fired at individuals who approached the nearby forces and were seen as a threat to them. This information was shared in a summary of the report that was made public on Friday.
According to the IDF, a large number of Palestinians surrounded the aid trucks as they were heading towards distribution centers. These individuals were involved in looting the equipment from the trucks. The IDF also mentioned that there were unfortunate incidents where civilians were harmed, including instances of stampedes and individuals being run over by the trucks.
The IDF explained that during the crowding, many Palestinians moved closer to IDF troops, coming within a few meters of them, which posed a real threat to the forces in that area.
In response, the troops initially fired warning shots to try to deter the suspects. However, as the suspects persisted in advancing towards them, the troops aimed accurately at some of the suspects to eliminate the threat, according to the IDF's report.
Earlier, the United Nations reported that many of the civilians injured in the incident had gunshot wounds. However, the exact cause of death for those who lost their lives could not be determined.
UN experts recently labeled the incident as a "massacre" and urged Israel to ease its strict regulations on food assistance going into Gaza. This move is crucial as hundreds of thousands of people in the region are at risk of starvation.
Editor's P/S:
The "Flour Massacre" in Gaza is a tragic and heartbreaking event that highlights the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region. The Israeli military's investigation, while claiming that troops did not target the aid convoy, raises serious questions about the use of lethal force against civilians. The fact that over 100 people were killed and hundreds more injured during a peaceful attempt to collect food aid is deeply disturbing.
The international community must demand a thorough and impartial investigation into this incident. The IDF's explanation that troops fired at individuals who posed a threat is insufficient and raises concerns about the use of excessive force. The United Nations' labeling of the incident as a "massacre" underscores the urgent need for Israel to ease its restrictions on food aid into Gaza. The people of Gaza are facing a dire humanitarian situation, and the Israeli government has a responsibility to ensure that they have access to basic necessities like food and medicine., must be facilitated, and measures must be taken to alleviate the suffering and prevent further loss of life.
