Condemnation against Israel increases after soldiers shot at Palestinians who came to collect food aid. A Gaza doctor says the shooting caused 80% of the injuries received in his hospital following the killing.
The director of a hospital in Gaza City, who treated some of those injured in the bloodshed around an aid convoy, said Friday that more than 80 percent of them had been hit by shots, suggesting that Israeli troops fired intensively.
At least 112 Palestinians were killed and more than 750 injured Thursday, according to health authorities, when witnesses said nearby Israeli troops opened fire as huge crowds rushed to remove goods from a humanitarian aid convoy. Israel said many of the dead were trampled in a stampede linked to the chaos and its troops fired on some members of the crowd who they said were approaching them in a threatening manner.
Dr. Mohammed Salha, acting director of Al-Awda Hospital, told The Associated Press that 176 injured people were brought to the facility, including 142 who suffered gunshot wounds. The other 34 had injuries due to a stampede.
He could not specify the cause of death of those killed, as the bodies were taken to public hospitals to be counted. Officials at other hospitals could not immediately be reached regarding the deaths and other injuries.
Difficulties in delivering humanitarian aid
The U.N. and other aid groups have advocated for safe corridors for aid convoys, saying it has become almost impossible to deliver supplies to much of Gaza due to difficulty in coordination with the Israeli army, ongoing hostilities and the breakdown of law and order, including crowds of desperate people overwhelming aid convoys.
U.N. officials say hunger is even worse in the north, where several hundred thousand Palestinians remain, although the region has been isolated and almost completely razed since Israeli troops launched their ground offensive there. the end of October. U.N. agencies have been in the north for more than a month due to military restrictions and lack of security, but several deliveries by other groups reached the region earlier this week.
Thursday’s convoy was not organized by the United Nations. It appears to have been controlled by the Israeli military, which said its troops were on hand to secure it and ensure it reached northern Gaza.
The shooting and subsequent bloodshed raise questions about whether Israel will be able to maintain order if it implements its post-war plans for Gaza.
Israel admitted shooting
Israel had admitted that its troops fired on the hungry crowds because they “felt threatened” but blamed the deaths of these civilians on the driver of humanitarian trucks and trampling.
The Israeli military said dozens of deaths were caused by a stampede and that some people were run over by trucks as drivers tried to flee.
The UN calls for an investigation
The UN, but also France, Italy and Germany, have called for an independent investigation into this killing.
Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan have accused Israel of targeting civilians in the tragedy. In separate statements, they called for increased safe crossings for humanitarian aid. They also urged the international community to take decisive action to pressure Israel to respect international law and reach an agreement for an immediate ceasefire.
For the first time Washington recognized the death of 25,000 Palestinians, this toll only takes into account the deaths of women and children.
According to the latest report from the Palestinian authorities, 30,228 people were killed in this conflict.
