It was initially impossible to predict what the incident would mean for difficult ceasefire negotiations. Fears were expressed in the Israeli media that the incident could strengthen Hamas' negotiating position and become a turning point in the war, which has been ongoing for almost five months. Several Arab countries accused Israel of being responsible for the deaths. The Israeli military denies this.
What exactly happened on Thursday when an aid convoy arrived was still unclear on Friday. What is certain is that many people tried to obtain relief supplies. According to the Gaza Ministry of Health, which is controlled by the Islamist Hamas, more than a hundred had died. More than 700 were injured. The numbers cannot be independently verified.
Israel: Soldiers felt threatened
Although the Palestinian side claimed that Israeli soldiers deliberately fired into the crowd, the Israeli military blamed chaos and “crowding” for the deaths. There was a “crowd” as thousands of people gathered around a convoy of 30 trucks carrying relief supplies. Shots were fired, but only a few people were injured.
debate
What might the future of the Gaza Strip be like?
Army spokesman Peter Lerner told CNN that initial reports indicate that a group of people approached Israeli soldiers. The military then fired warning shots into the air. However, the group continued to approach the soldiers and posed a threat, to which the soldiers opened fire. According to Israeli media reports, they would target the legs.
Possible “turning point” in the Gaza war
After an incident in Gaza on Thursday left dozens of civilians dead, there were outraged reactions and calls for clarification from around the world. Observers describe the incident as a possible “turning point” in the Gaza war, as ORF correspondent Tim Cupal from Tel Aviv reports.
WHO: supply situation “real drama”
The World Health Organization (WHO) attributes the incident in the Gaza Strip to the catastrophic supply situation. People are so desperate for food, water and other supplies that they are risking their lives, WHO spokesman Christian Lindmeier said in Geneva on Friday. “This is the real drama, this is the real disaster here,” he said.
APA/AFP In Gaza City, relief supplies were delivered to people by air
Some countries are now airlifting humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip to maintain supplies. On Friday, the Jordanian Air Force said it dropped relief supplies over the coastal strip. Humanitarian and medical supplies must continue to be flown to Egypt's al-Arish airport or dropped into the Gaza Strip, he said.
The US announced it would work with Jordan to drop more food and humanitarian aid from the air. More aid should also reach the Gaza Strip by land, US President Joe Biden said. The aid currently reaching Gaza is not enough. UN organizations point out that the quantities that can be delivered through airdrops are quite small. Furthermore, fair distribution is difficult.
EU releases more funds
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she was “deeply disturbed” by the incident. Every effort must be made to investigate what happened and ensure transparency, she wrote on X (Twitter). Humanitarian aid is a lifeline for those in need and access to it must be guaranteed.
Those responsible must be held accountable, EU Council President Charles Michel also said in
Reactions to the deadly incident in Gaza
There were international reactions after the disaster that left dozens dead in a humanitarian aid convoy in Gaza. UN Secretary-General António Guterres is once again pushing for a ceasefire, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell speaks of a “bloodbath”.
The European Commission intends to pay an additional 68 million euros in emergency aid to Palestinians this year. The money was to go to international partners such as the Red Cross and Red Crescent, the Brussels authority announced on Friday. An estimated 50 million euros will be paid to the UN Palestine Relief Agency (UNRWA) next week.
The Foreign Ministry in Vienna was “deeply appalled” by the images from Gaza and called for a “swift and impartial investigation by Israel”. Civil life must be protected in accordance with international law – anywhere and at any time, he stated in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs account on X.
“It will require explanations”
French President Emmanuel Macron called for an immediate ceasefire on Friday night. There is “great outrage at the images from Gaza, where civilians were targeted by Israeli soldiers”. Macron said on X that he “strongly condemns these shootings and demands truth, justice and respect for international law”. The situation in Gaza is dramatic.
Portal/Mohammed Salem According to observers, the situation is catastrophic
A statement from the French Foreign Ministry said France hopes the serious incident will be fully clarified. “In any case, it is Israel’s responsibility to respect the rules of international law and protect the distribution of humanitarian aid to the civilian population.”
USA: “Pressing for answers”
The US government is in contact with the Israeli government about the incident and is also demanding answers. It is the U.S. understanding that an investigation is ongoing, said U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller. “We will follow this investigation closely and press for answers.” There is no reliable information about what happened, Miller said. The “tragedy” could complicate negotiations for a ceasefire and the release of hostages held by the Islamist Hamas.
In New York, the UN Security Council discussed the incident in an emergency meeting behind closed doors. Algeria submitted a draft statement expressing “deep concern” and blaming “Israeli army fire” for the escalation of the situation. It is said that 14 of the 15 members supported the text, but not the US veto power.
China is “shocked”
China was also “shocked by this incident and strongly condemns it,” said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning. “We express our sadness for the victims and our sympathy for the injured.” She called on “affected parties and in particular Israel” to end the fighting and “seriously protect” the security of the civilian population.
Turkey also took sides: the fact that Israeli forces fired on Palestinians was “another crime against humanity”, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ankara. Brazil also once again harshly criticized Israel. Italian Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani said his country condemned “any violence against the Israeli and Palestinian civilian populations.” They call for the “release of hostages and an end to the massacre of Palestinian civilians”, as well as a ceasefire.
Strong criticism of Israel came from several Arab states. It was a “heinous massacre” committed by Israel, a Qatari Foreign Ministry statement said on Thursday night. The international community must force Israel to comply with international humanitarian law and protect the Palestinian people from violations, according to the government in Doha, which is playing an important role in negotiations for another ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.