Twenty individuals have tragically lost their lives and more than 30 others sustained injuries in central Gaza following a catastrophic incident involving four overturned lorries, according to the Hamas-run civil defence agency. This unfortunate event unfolded when desperate crowds gathered around trucks on a rugged road southeast of Deir al-Balah on Tuesday evening, leading to drivers losing control of their vehicles, as reported by local journalists.
The area is currently under Israeli military control, complicating transport conditions. On the same day, 26 commercial trucks managed to enter Gaza, but six were looted, and four overturned amid the chaos. The Israeli government had recently announced its plans to gradually allow the entry of goods into Gaza through the private sector to alleviate humanitarian needs and lessen reliance on UN services. Approved supplies include essentials like baby food, fruits, and hygiene products.
Hamas officials have indicated that civilians have been waiting for weeks for these crucial deliveries to arrive, often resulting in frantic crowds surrounding the trucks. Such scenes of desperation have previously led to tumultuous situations whenever aid trucks are dispatched.
In a separate troubling incident, Jordan has reported that Israeli settlers attacked a Gaza-bound aid convoy comprising 30 lorries, raising concerns about escort safety and the protection of humanitarian assistance. Settlers reportedly blocked the convoy and threw stones, damaging several vehicles. This attack marks the second on a Jordanian aid convoy in just a few days, according to government spokesperson Mohammad al-Momani.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to worsen, as confirmed by the Hamas-run health ministry, which has reported new deaths due to malnutrition. This raises the total death count related to malnutrition since the beginning of the ongoing war to 193, including 96 children. Many international aid organizations have raised alarms about potential mass starvation in Gaza, accusing Israeli forces of obstructing vital aid efforts. In response, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has denied claims of starvation, asserting there is no blockage of aid access.
Faced with growing international outcry, Israel’s military announced the opening of humanitarian corridors aimed at facilitating aid delivery into Gaza, alongside a temporary military pause in specific areas. The United Nations has consistently called for unimpeded access for humanitarian supplies, although actual entry remains sporadic, and reports of looting persist.
The recent violence has unfolded in the context of Israel's military offensive that began following a Hamas assault on October 7, 2023, which took the lives of around 1,200 individuals and resulted in 251 hostages being taken to Gaza. According to figures from the Hamas-run health ministry, the death toll for Palestinians in Gaza has tragically exceeded 61,020 since the start of the conflict.
