Tragedy in Gaza: Overturned Trucks Claim Lives Amid Constant Struggles

In a tragic turn of events in central Gaza, 20 individuals have lost their lives and over 30 have been injured when four lorries overturned on a crowded scene, according to the Hamas-run civil defence agency. The tragedy highlights the ongoing challenges in the region, as the humanitarian crisis escalates amidst tension and violence.

Twenty people have been killed and more than 30 injured in central Gaza after four lorries overturned on a crowd, according to the Hamas-run civil defence agency. The incident occurred on Tuesday evening when crowds rushed to the vehicles on a road southeast of Deir al-Balah, clambering onto the trucks, which caused the drivers to lose control, as reported by local journalists.

The area in question remains under Israeli military control, and civil defence agency spokesman Mahmoud Basal characterized the roads as rugged and perilous. On the same day, the private transport association operational in Gaza reported that 26 commercial trucks entered the territory, but unfortunately, six were looted, and four of those overturned, resulting in fatalities and injuries.

Israel has recently announced its intention to gradually permit the entry of goods into Gaza via the private sector, aiming to enhance the volume of aid entering the enclave while lessening dependency on the United Nations. The approved supplies gushed into the region include items such as baby food, fruits, vegetables, hygiene products, and essential staples. The BBC has reached out to the Israeli ministry of defense for further comments regarding the incident.

Hamas officials claimed civilians had been eagerly awaiting essential supplies to be transported by road for weeks, attributing the swarming crowds around the trucks to desperation. The chaos around aid deliveries has frequently led to disarray as trucks arrive, further complicating the humanitarian situation.

In a related incident on Wednesday, Jordan reported that Israeli settlers launched an attack on a Gaza-bound aid convoy consisting of 30 lorries, criticizing Israel for failing to intervene. The convoy was pushing toward the Zikim crossing in Gaza when settlers obstructed the road and attacked the trucks, smashing their windscreens. Jordan's government spokesman Mohammad al-Momani urged serious Israeli intervention on these matters, referencing this occurrence as the second attack on a Jordanian convoy within a few days.

Moreover, the Hamas-run health ministry disclosed five additional deaths caused by malnutrition on Wednesday, raising the total number to 193 since the onset of the ongoing war, which includes 96 children. Over 100 international aid organizations and human rights groups have issued warnings regarding mass starvation in Gaza, accusing Israel of hindering the distribution of crucial aid. Contrarily, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has denied the existence of starvation in the territory and insists there are no obstructions to aid deliveries.

Last week, Israel's military announced plans to open humanitarian corridors for aid convoys into Gaza in light of escalating international pressure. They declared a "local tactical pause in military activity" in certain areas for humanitarian reasons, while also allowing foreign aid drops to occur. The humanitarian crisis continues to worsen, with approximately 90% of Gaza's 2.1 million residents displaced and suffering in overcrowded conditions.

The United Nations has persistently called for the consistent and comprehensive entry of humanitarian supplies, yet access remains irregular with many aid trucks facing looting. Israeli officials have refuted allegations of systematic starvation, addressing what they label "false claims" of deliberate efforts to deprive the people of Gaza of necessary aid.

The backdrop of this humanitarian tragedy stems from Israel's military offensive, commenced in response to Hamas's attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which left around 1,200 Israelis dead, with 251 individuals taken as hostages to Gaza. Reports indicate that at least 61,020 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza since the outbreak of conflict.