A catastrophic stampede at a humanitarian aid distribution point in northern Gaza has left at least 112 people dead and hundreds more injured, as desperate civilians clashed over scarce food supplies. The incident, described as one of the deadliest single events in the ongoing conflict, unfolded early Thursday morning near Gaza City.
Chaos at the Aid Hub
Witnesses reported scenes of utter chaos as thousands of Palestinians descended on the aid trucks before dawn. "People were fighting over bags of flour like wild animals," one survivor told reporters. "When the trucks moved, everyone rushed forward and people started falling."
Conflicting Accounts of the Tragedy
The circumstances surrounding the deaths remain contested:
- Gaza health officials claim most victims died in the stampede
- Israeli sources suggest some fatalities resulted from crowd control measures
- Hamas has blamed Israel for the humanitarian crisis that led to the tragedy
International Response
The incident has drawn global condemnation, with UN Secretary-General António Guterres calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. "This horrific event shows the catastrophic conditions under which Palestinians in Gaza are forced to survive," Guterres stated.
Meanwhile, the UK Foreign Office has urged all parties to facilitate safe aid delivery, warning that the death toll could rise as many victims remain in critical condition.
