The Hamas-run civil defense agency has reported that a tragic incident involving overturned trucks in Gaza has resulted in 20 fatalities and over 30 injuries. As aid delivery efforts ramp up amidst severe shortages and tensions, questions arise about safety and the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
Tragedy Unfolds in Gaza as Truck Incident Claims 20 Lives
Tragedy Unfolds in Gaza as Truck Incident Claims 20 Lives
A chaotic scene in Gaza leads to fatalities as trucks overturn while delivering goods amidst ongoing conflict and desperation for supplies.
The Hamas-run civil defense agency reported a devastating incident in central Gaza, where 20 people lost their lives and more than 30 were injured after four lorries overturned during a chaotic scene involving desperate crowds. The incident occurred on Tuesday evening when civilians flocked to the vehicles on a rugged road south-east of Deir al-Balah. Local journalists noted that crowd surges onto the trucks caused the drivers to lose control.
The area remains under Israeli military control, creating challenging conditions on the roads, as explained by Mahmoud Basal, a spokesman for the civil defense agency. On the same day, 26 commercial trucks entered Gaza, although six were looted before the fatal overturns occurred. This has stoked tensions as Israel gradually permits the entry of goods into the territory through private companies in a bid to "increase the volume of aid" while minimizing reliance on the UN.
Hamas officials voiced concerns, stating that civilians had been yearning for basic supplies for weeks, leading to chaotic scenes and panic each time aid trucks arrive. In a related incident, Jordan alerted that Israeli settlers attacked a convoy of 30 aid trucks headed for Gaza, leading to calls for stronger Israeli intervention to protect these vital deliveries.
Further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis, the Hamas-run health ministry has reported five additional fatalities due to malnutrition, raising the toll to 193 since the onset of the current conflict, including 96 children. Aid organizations and human rights groups have sounded the alarm over potential mass starvation in Gaza, blaming restrictions imposed by Israel for worsening conditions.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has refuted claims of starvation, insisting that his government is not obstructing aid, and emphasized the need for humanitarian corridors established in areas needing relief. Since Israel began its military offensive following Hamas's attacks on October 7, 2023, casualties have mounted, with reports indicating over 61,000 Palestinians killed according to the local health ministry in Gaza.
The UN continues to advocate for unconditional humanitarian assistance access, which remains intermittent as looting incidents persist, highlighting the urgent need for sustained efforts to address the humanitarian crisis in the region.
