More than 100 Palestinians have been killed and hundreds injured in a devastating stampede near Gaza's border with Israel, as crowds rushed towards aid trucks delivering desperately needed food supplies. The incident marks one of the deadliest single-day tolls in the ongoing conflict.
Chaos at the Border
Witnesses described scenes of panic as thousands of starving Gazans converged on the aid convoy. Israeli forces reportedly opened fire when the crowd approached their positions, though the exact circumstances remain disputed.
Conflicting Accounts
While Palestinian officials claim most deaths resulted from Israeli gunfire, the Israeli military maintains that many victims were trampled in the chaotic rush for supplies. "The majority were killed or injured due to pushing and trampling," an IDF spokesperson stated.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
The tragedy underscores the catastrophic food shortages in Gaza, where the UN warns famine is imminent after five months of war. Aid agencies report children dying from malnutrition as Israel's blockade severely restricts essential supplies.
International Outrage
Global leaders have condemned the bloodshed, with calls for an immediate ceasefire and unrestricted humanitarian access. The EU's foreign policy chief described the deaths as "totally unacceptable," while Arab nations demand urgent UN Security Council action.
As investigations continue, the incident threatens to derail fragile ceasefire negotiations and further inflame tensions across the region.
