Go Rally Truck Disaster Again... Dozens Dead Amid Israel-Palestine Dispute

Local Health Ministry "Israeli Military Targets Civilians"
Israeli Military Announces Preliminary Investigation
"Pal Armed Militants Fired... Also Hit Civilian Truck"

Palestine and Israel are exchanging accusations over responsibility for another disaster involving a relief truck in the Gaza Strip.

On the afternoon of the 14th (local time), 20 residents waiting for a relief supply truck near the Kuwait Rotary in Gaza City, northern Gaza Strip, were attacked and killed, and more than 150 were injured, according to the US New York Times (NYT).

The Gaza Strip Ministry of Health stated that the Israeli military targeted residents waiting for humanitarian aid. However, the Israeli military countered that Palestinian armed militants fired first at civilians waiting for relief supplies about an hour before the relief truck arrived. They added, "When the crowd began looting the arriving relief truck, Palestinian armed militants continued shooting," and claimed, "Many civilians were also hit by the truck."

The Israeli military announced a preliminary investigation, stating that no tank fire, airstrikes, or shootings were directed at Gaza Strip civilians from the relief supply convoy. They did not mention whether Israeli forces fired shots.

Regarding the relief truck disaster, the party responsible for transporting and escorting the relief supplies has not been confirmed. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) said it was not involved in this relief supply transport. The Israeli military only stated that it facilitated the passage of 31 relief trucks.

A building in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, Palestine. Destroyed by an airstrike from the Israeli military. Not related to this article. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Witnesses said there was shelling at the accident site. Photographer Mohammad Hamoude testified that he did not see weapons fired at either the Israeli military or the crowd but believed casualties occurred due to Israeli forces firing from a distance. He claimed, "The artillery and tank shells were aimed at civilians."

Another witness, Ali Al Ajuri (16), said, "About 30 people were gathered in one place when shells flew toward them."

Medical personnel also testified that the injuries appeared to be caused by shells rather than rifle bullets. Eid Saba, head nurse at the local Kamal Adwan Hospital, analyzed the wound patterns and said that due to a shortage of medicines and medical supplies, they were unable to operate on the injured.

A similar incident occurred on the 29th of last month. More than 100 people died and hundreds were injured as residents crowded around relief trucks arriving in Gaza City. At that time, the Palestinian side claimed it was due to indiscriminate shooting by the Israeli military, but the Israeli military stated that most of the victims were trampled by the crowd trying to get relief supplies.