Tragedy Unfolds at Gaza Food Distribution Site Amidst Conflict

One of the most devastating incidents during Israel's conflict with Hamas happened on Thursday in Gaza City. Scores of Palestinians lost their lives while trying to access food aid.

According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza, at least 104 people were killed and 760 were injured in a chaotic event. Israel Defense Forces (IDF) troops used live fire as hungry and desperate Palestinian civilians gathered around food aid trucks. Please note that CNN cannot verify these numbers independently.

Amid widespread hunger and poverty in the besieged enclave, the incident occurred where food aid is scarce and often causes panic upon arrival. However, there are conflicting stories about the devastation from both Israel and eyewitnesses on the ground.

Here’s what we know.

What happened?

The deaths happened during a chaotic situation on Haroun Al Rasheed Street in western Gaza City. A large group of hungry Palestinians had gathered there for food aid.

Eyewitnesses reported that a convoy of at least 18 food trucks arrived at around 4:30 a.m. on Thursday morning. These trucks were sent by countries in the region, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

Civilians eagerly gathered around the aid trucks that had just arrived, hoping to receive food. According to witnesses, Israeli forces began shooting shortly after.

The aid trucks attempted to leave the area, unintentionally colliding with others and resulting in more casualties, as reported by eyewitnesses to CNN. Ahmad Abu Al Foul, one of the witnesses, mentioned that ambulances faced difficulties reaching those in need due to rubble blocking the way.

According to a local journalist in Gaza, Khader Al Za’anoun, the majority of the casualties happened when people were hit by aid trucks trying to flee Israeli gunfire. Al Za’anoun, who was present at the scene, observed that the chaos and confusion leading to people being struck by the trucks began after Israeli soldiers started shooting.

“Most of the people that were killed were rammed by the aid trucks during the chaos and while trying to escape the Israeli gunfire,” Al Za’anoun said.

An injured Palestinian receives medical treatment in Al-Shifa Hospital after the incident.

An injured Palestinian receives medical treatment in Al-Shifa Hospital after the incident.

Dawoud Abo Alkas/Anadolu/Getty Images

What is Israel saying?

Israel offered an evolving account of the incident as the day progressed.

The IDF initially stated that the chaos started when Palestinians tried to loot the trucks carrying humanitarian aid into the northern Gaza Strip. According to CNN, Gazan residents surrounded the trucks and took the supplies. This led to dozens of injuries due to pushing and trampling.

Later on Thursday, an Israeli military spokesperson mentioned in a briefing that there were two separate incidents involving aid trucks in Gaza on Thursday.

Trucks entered northern Gaza and were rushed by crowds, with trucks running over people. A group of Palestinians then approached Israeli forces, who opened fire on them.

According to the spokesman, the truckloads went into the north, followed by a stampede, and then the event against their forces occurred. This is how the events unfolded this morning.

The timeline provided does not align with the eyewitness reports, indicating that the Israeli military shot at individuals near the trucks, leading the drivers to quickly drive away in fear.

Now, let's discuss the current humanitarian situation in Gaza.

More than half a million people in Gaza are at risk of famine, according to United Nations agencies. The ongoing war in the region has now lasted for nearly five months.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs stated that 576,000 individuals in Gaza are experiencing extreme levels of deprivation and hunger. Additionally, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) has raised concerns about a potential famine by May, putting 500,000 people in danger if action is not taken to prevent it.

TOPSHOT - Smoke from bombardment billows in the background as displaced Palestinians flee from Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip on January 30, 2024, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. (Photo by Mahmud Hams / AFP) (Photo by MAHMUD HAMS/AFP via Getty Images)

Displaced Palestinians are seen fleeing from Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip on January 30, 2024, as smoke from bombardment fills the air. This scene is a result of the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. The photo captures the chaos and devastation that many innocent civilians are experiencing in this conflict.

Mahmud Hams/AFP/Getty Images

Related article

The health ministry in Gaza has reported that over 30,000 people have been killed since the start of the Israel-Hamas war. According to Carl Skau, the WFP Deputy Executive Director, almost the entire population of 2.2 million in Gaza now requires food aid. The region is experiencing the highest levels of child malnutrition globally, with one in every six children under the age of 2 suffering from acute malnutrition.

Aid in Gaza has been scarce, causing panic when it does arrive. Jan Egeland, the Secretary-General of the Norwegian Refugee Council, expressed concern about the chaotic scenes around aid trucks during an interview with CNN's Christiane Amanpour.

"The situation around the aid distribution is getting increasingly chaotic due to the limited amount of aid being delivered," he explained.

He continued, "I was really disturbed by what I witnessed today. As soon as we entered the border, we saw aid trucks speeding down the road, followed by groups of young people. These individuals would leap onto the trucks and quickly snatch up items like mattresses, blankets, and food meant for those in need outside."

This situation has significant implications for the ongoing war.

Thursday's tragic event in Gaza was one of the deadliest incidents since the start of Israel's war against Hamas.

This incident occurred during a crucial period in the conflict, as negotiations between Israel and Hamas for a ceasefire and the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza were at a critical juncture.

Hamas senior member Izzat Al-Risheq cautioned that if people collecting aid from trucks in Gaza continue to be killed, it could jeopardize the ongoing talks.

He mentioned in a statement released by Hamas on Telegram that negotiations are not a transparent process.

“We will not allow for the pathway of the negotiations…[to become] a cover for the enemy’s continued crimes against our people in the Gaza Strip,” Al-Risheq said.

Israel's war on Hamas has left almost all of Gaza's population displaced.

Israel's war on Hamas has left almost all of Gaza's population displaced.

Ibraheem Abu Mustafa/Reuters

A spokesperson for the US National Security Council stated on Thursday that the White House is currently investigating the situation, describing it as a "serious incident." They also used the statement to call for a temporary ceasefire in the ongoing war.

"We are taking these reports seriously and are looking into the matter. Our hearts go out to the innocent lives lost and we acknowledge the urgent humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where innocent Palestinians are struggling to provide for their families."

The statement emphasized the need to increase and maintain humanitarian aid to Gaza, possibly through a temporary ceasefire. Efforts are ongoing to make this happen.

President Joe Biden expressed his desire for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict during a visit to an ice cream shop in New York City on Monday. However, officials from Israel, Hamas, and Qatar, who are involved in mediation efforts, have not committed to a specific timeline like "next Monday."

Biden mentioned on Thursday that his administration is investigating two conflicting versions of the events. When questioned by CNN's Arlette Saenz at the White House about concerns regarding the deaths affecting negotiations, Biden acknowledged that it would. Despite this, he remained hopeful that an agreement on the hostages and a possible ceasefire could be achieved soon.

Reporting on this story was contributed by CNN's Mostafa Salem, Lauren Izso, and Jennifer Hauser.

Editor's P/S:

The tragic incident in Gaza City, where countless innocent Palestinians lost their lives while seeking food aid, is a heartbreaking testament to the devastating consequences of the ongoing conflict. The conflicting accounts provided by Israel and eyewitnesses raise serious concerns about the use of excessive force against civilians and the urgent need for a humanitarian ceasefire. The sheer number of casualties, including the young and vulnerable, is a chilling reminder of the dire humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza, where food shortages and malnutrition have become rampant.

The escalating violence and the reluctance to commit to a specific ceasefire timeline by all parties involved are deeply troubling. The international community must intensify diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the situation, prevent further loss of life, and ensure the safe and timely delivery of humanitarian aid to those in desperate need. The United States, as a key player in the region, has a responsibility to use its influence to facilitate a lasting ceasefire and work towards a just and sustainable resolution to the conflict.