Chaos in the rush for relief supplies
Worldwide horror after dozens of deaths in Gaza City
March 1, 2024, 1:01 p.m
There is great outrage around the world over the bloodbath during aid deliveries in Gaza City. Foreign Minister Baerbock is shocked and demands clarification from Israel. The USA is also demanding “answers” and French President Macron is calling for an immediate ceasefire.
The deaths of numerous people in the city of Gaza when food aid arrived caused international outrage and sharp criticism. Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock was shocked and demanded clarification from Israel. “People wanted aid for themselves and their families and found themselves dead. The reports from Gaza shock me,” the Green politician wrote on X. The Israeli army must fully explain how mass panic and shootings occurred. She reiterated her call for a humanitarian ceasefire “so that the hostages can finally be released from the hands of Hamas and more people do not die in Gaza. And aid can be distributed safely.”
French head of state Emmanuel Macron also expressed “great outrage at the images from Gaza, where civilians were targeted by Israeli soldiers” on X. An immediate ceasefire is essential. “I strongly condemn these shootings and demand truth, justice and respect for international law,” Macron said. “The situation in Gaza is dramatic. All civilian populations must be protected.”
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell was also shocked: “I am horrified by the news of another bloodbath among civilians in Gaza who desperately need humanitarian assistance,” wrote EU foreign policy chief Borrell on X. “These deaths are absolutely unacceptable. ”
UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned “acts of violence”. “We don’t know exactly what happened,” said his spokesman Stéphane Dujarric in New York. “But whether these people were killed by Israeli gunfire, whether they were crushed by the crowd or knocked over by trucks, these are acts of violence that are in some way linked to this conflict.” Guterres himself called for an “independent investigation” into the events during a visit to the Caribbean state of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
The USA also insisted on “answers”. “We urgently need additional information about exactly what happened,” US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in Washington. Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden expressed fears that the deadly incident would complicate negotiations for a new ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. China also expressed outrage over the deaths of dozens of people. “China is shocked by this incident and strongly condemns it,” said Chinese Foreign Office spokeswoman Mao Ning. “We express our sadness for the victims and our condolences for those injured.”
Dozens dead and injured in Gaza
According to the Israeli army, there was a “crowd” in the city of Gaza on Thursday as thousands of people gathered around a convoy of 38 aid trucks. There were dozens of deaths and injuries, some of whom were run over by trucks. An Israeli army official acknowledged a “limited” number of shots fired by Israeli soldiers who felt “threatened.” The Gaza Strip’s health ministry, which is controlled by the Palestinian terrorist organization Hamas, spoke of a “massacre” in which 112 people were killed and 760 others were injured.
In New York, the UN Security Council discussed the deadly incident in an emergency meeting behind closed doors. “The Security Council should say that the measure is full,” the Palestinian Authority’s representative to the United Nations, Rijad Mansur, said before the meeting. Algeria submitted a draft statement expressing “deep concern” and blaming “Israeli army shots” for the escalation of the situation. Mansur said after the meeting that 14 of the 15 members of the UN Security Council had supported the text.
According to information from diplomatic circles, the veto power USA was against blaming Israel. However, the negotiations continued. US Deputy Ambassador to the UN Robert Wood said a choice of words was being sought to reach a joint statement from the body. “The problem is that we don’t have all the facts.”
The Gaza war was triggered by Hamas’ major attack on Israel on October 7th. Hundreds of terrorists committed atrocities primarily against civilians and, according to Israeli figures, killed around 1,160 people and abducted and kidnapped around 250 hostages in the Gaza Strip. In response to the Hamas attack, Israel has since taken massive military action in the Gaza Strip, with the declared aim of destroying Hamas. According to the Hamas Ministry of Health, which cannot be independently verified, more than 30,000 Palestinians were killed.