Israeli troops fired on a crowd of Palestinians gathering at an aid distribution point in Gaza City on February 29, resulting in the deaths of at least 104 people and injuring over 700, according to Palestinian health officials. The incident, labeled a “massacre” by the Palestinian Health Ministry, occurred at the al-Nabusi roundabout west of Gaza City. Witnesses reported that the violence erupted as thousands of desperate people rushed towards aid trucks, prompting Israeli soldiers to open fire, claiming they perceived a threat.
Initially, Israeli sources cited concerns over the crowd’s proximity to military tanks and alleged looting of aid supplies. However, later reports suggested that the soldiers responded to the perceived threat posed by the advancing crowd with live ammunition. As the death toll continued to rise, medical facilities struggled to cope with the influx of casualties, highlighting the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza exacerbated by the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Eyewitnesses recounted the chaos that ensued as thousands of desperate civilians surged towards aid trucks in search of essential supplies. Amid the frenzy, Israeli soldiers, stationed near military tanks, perceived the advancing crowd as a threat and responded with lethal force, according to witnesses. The Palestinian Health Ministry condemned the violence as a “massacre,” highlighting the heavy toll inflicted on unarmed civilians.
Initially, Israeli sources cited concerns over the proximity of the crowd to military assets and alleged looting of aid supplies as justifications for the use of force. However, subsequent reports suggested a different narrative, indicating that Israeli troops responded to the advancing crowd with live ammunition. As the death toll climbed and medical facilities strained under the weight of the casualties, the grim reality of Gaza’s humanitarian crisis was starkly illuminated.
The tragic events of February 29 sparked international outcry and reignited debates over the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. At the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Palestinian officials confronted their Israeli counterparts, demanding accountability for the civilian casualties and questioning the targeting of unarmed civilians. Meanwhile, the United Nations and humanitarian organizations reiterated calls for an immediate ceasefire and urgent action to address the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza.
As the cycle of violence and suffering persists, the plight of Gaza’s civilian population remains a pressing concern. Beyond the headlines and diplomatic exchanges, the human cost of conflict continues to mount, underscoring the urgent need for a sustainable solution and lasting peace in the region.
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