A devastating incident unfolded in Gaza as Israeli forces fired upon Palestinians attempting to collect flour for their families, resulting in more than 100 casualties and over 750 injuries. The Gaza Ministry of Health reported the grim toll on Thursday, condemning the incident as a cold-blooded “massacre.”
The attack occurred on al-Rashid Street, where crowds had gathered in anticipation of aid trucks carrying essential flour. The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs labeled it a part of Israel’s ongoing “genocidal war” and urgently called for international intervention to establish a ceasefire as the only means to protect civilians.
Footage verified by Al Jazeera depicted the bodies of killed and wounded Palestinians being loaded onto trucks, as ambulances were unable to reach the area. Witnesses shared harrowing accounts, with one stating, “We went to get flour. The Israeli army shot at us. There are many martyrs on the ground, and until this moment, we are withdrawing them. There is no first aid.”
Al Jazeera’s Ismail al-Ghoul, reporting from the scene, described the aftermath as a massacre, exacerbated by the already dire conditions of starvation facing Gaza’s citizens. Israeli tanks, after opening fire, reportedly advanced and ran over many of the deceased and injured bodies.
The dead and wounded were transported to four medical centers: al-Shifa, Kamal Adwan, Ahli, and the Jordanian hospitals. Ambulances faced insurmountable challenges reaching the area due to roads being “totally destroyed,” as reported by al-Ghoul.
The incident has sparked international outcry and renewed calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities in the region. The tragic event highlights the urgent need for humanitarian intervention to address the escalating crisis in Gaza.
