FOLLOWING the deaths of hundreds of Palestinians when Israeli military opened fire on aid vehicles entering the city on Thursday, world leaders called for an independent investigation.
According to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry, more than 100 people were killed and at least 750 others injured.
Hamas accused the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) of firing on civilians.
The Israeli military confirmed that its soldiers opened fire, but said it was an act of self-defense after the crowd approached the troops in a menacing manner, endangering their safety.
The military stated that the majority of the casualties perished as a result of a stampede and being ran over by relief vehicles, while gunmen looted the supplies and opened fire.
‘’This morning the IDF coordinated a convoy…dozens of Gazans killed and injured,’’ Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said.
The IDF reported less than 10 casualties as a result of the disorderly distribution of supplies. On Thursday, Israel’s military released an aerial surveillance footage showing the humanitarian operation in Gaza.
One day after the incident, U.S. President Joe Biden has approved airdropping humanitarian aid to Gaza. The incident is now under investigation.
