Israel’s military has taken steps to address the tragic incident surrounding a Gaza aid convoy, aiming to provide clarity and transparency amidst mounting pressure and international scrutiny. According to a military spokesperson, initial assessments suggest that the convoy was not directly targeted by Israeli forces, and the majority of Palestinian casualties resulted from a stampede rather than direct military action.
However, recognizing the gravity of the situation and the need for a comprehensive investigation, Israel has launched a thorough examination of the incident. This investigation will be conducted by an independent, professional, and expert body, as stated by spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari. The findings of this investigation are expected to be shared in the coming days, underscoring Israel’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
In the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip, health authorities reported that Israeli forces had caused the deaths of over 100 individuals who were attempting to reach a relief convoy near Gaza City.
Hagari stated, “The IDF has completed an initial assessment of the regrettable incident where Gazan civilians were fatally trampled and injured while attempting to reach the aid convoy.”
He further explained that the review, drawing information from field commanders and troops, determined that no direct strike had been executed on the aid convoy.
“The majority of Palestinian casualties occurred due to the stampede,” Hagari emphasized.
“After our forces initiated warnings shots to disperse the stampede and commenced withdrawal, a number of looters approached our personnel, posing an immediate threat,” he added. “Based on the preliminary evaluation, the soldiers responded to several individuals.”
“We have initiated an investigation to further scrutinize the incident, aiming to mitigate the risk of such tragedies during future humanitarian operations,” Hagari assured.
“The investigation will be conducted by an independent, professional, and expert body under the fact-finding and assessment mechanism. We are committed to sharing updates transparently as our inquiry progresses, hopefully in the coming days.”
