IDF: Most casualties from Gaza stampede were from trampling
An initial military probe of a deadly stampede in Gaza City on Thursday morning has concluded that the majority of Palestinian casualties were the result of trampling and trucks running over rioters.
A crowd of Palestinians loot a truck delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza City on Feb. 29, 2024. Screenshot via IDF Spokesperson
The Israel Defence Forces were delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza City’s Rimal neighbourhood when residents surrounded the convoy of 30 trucks and began looting.
“Dozens of Gazans were injured as a result of pushing and trampling,” the IDF said.
According to an IDF source, following the incident, part of the crowd approached the soldiers accompanying the convoy “in a way that endangered our forces, who responded by firing.”
The incident took place around 4:00 AM shortly after the trucks had passed an army checkpoint in central Gaza.
According to the probe, most of the fatalities occurred as Palestinians were trampled by the crowd or run over by the trucks.
Some of the trucks managed to continue north, only to come under Palestinian gunfire.
Meanwhile, Palestinians who looted the last truck in the convoy began advancing towards the checkpoint where soldiers were stationed. An officer fired warning shots in the air before shooting at the legs of the Palestinians.
Hamas’s claims about the number of fatalities could not be independently verified.
The terror group issued a statement saying the incident could shatter hopes of a temporary ceasefire and release of hostages.
To bypass Hamas’s hijacking of humanitarian aid deliveries entering Gaza through the Rafah, Israel began routing the trucks through the old Karni crossing directly to northern Gaza.
Also on Thursday, during a Jordanian military airdrop of humanitarian supplies into northern Gaza, strong winds blew some of the packages into Israeli territory.
The IDF stressed that the landings were accidental and that there were no fears of a security incident.
Since Feb. 27, Jordan, Egypt, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and France have dropped more than 45 tons of food, medical supplies and other humanitarian aid into the Strip.
At least 1,200 people were killed and 240 Israelis and foreigners were taken hostage in Hamas’s attacks on Israeli communities near the Gaza border on October 7. Of the remaining 134 hostages, Israel recently declared 31 of them dead.
Zionist Federation of Australia CEO Alon Cassuto warned of the danger of misinformation. “The death of any innocent is absolutely tragic, and we mourn all those who have died in these incidents”, he said. “But a reflexive decision to blame Israel for their deaths will only cause further division here in Australia. We must focus on the truth.”
Mr Cassuto continued, “According to the IDF, there were two incidents in northern Gaza. In the first, thousands of Palestinians surrounded aid trucks, and dozens of people were killed by being trampled or run over. The IDF was not involved.”
“In a second incident, a group stormed IDF troops who were delivering aid. Given the frequent Hamas tactics of dressing as civilians, the IDF fired warning shots, and then deadly fire once IDF troops were in fear of their lives. This is entirely within the norms and parameters of international humanitarian law.”
The American Jewish Committee posted on X: “Let’s set the record straight on two incidents today in Gaza: In northern Gaza, 30 humanitarian aid trucks entered. Chaos ensued as thousands of Palestinians surrounded them. Tragically, dozens were killed or injured due to pushing, trampling, or being run over. The IDF was not involved.
In a different location on the Gaza border, IDF soldiers secured a humanitarian convoy to prevent Hamas from stealing aid. When a group of Gazans moved toward the soldiers, warning shots were fired. When this didn’t deter them, the IDF fired at those posing a threat. Every loss of civilian life is tragic. Stick to the facts, not Hamas propaganda.”
With J-Wire
A reflection.
Listening to ABC early news and the comment I caught by Biden [ if I heard correctly] about the lives of Palestinians being on the line, when from the depth of my subconscious came the thoughts …”Jewish lives have been on the line worldwide down through history, with library shelves still gracing books by Drs of the Church and others in positions of power, past and present, full of hate the basis for antisemitism, affecting their daily lives even today singled out needing security guards to protect them in attending schools and synagogues.
Actions speaking louder than words.