**Tragedy in Gaza: 20 Killed and Over 30 Injured as Aid Trucks Overturn**
In a devastating incident, at least 20 people lost their lives and over 30 were injured when four trucks overturned in central Gaza on Tuesday evening. The Hamas-run Civil Defence agency reported the tragedy, which occurred on a road south-east of Deir al-Balah.
According to local journalists who spoke to the BBC, crowds had gathered around the trucks, causing the drivers to lose control. The area was under Israeli control, and the roads are known to be rugged and hazardous. Six trucks were looted, and four of them overturned, resulting in the deaths and injuries.
**Aid Crisis Deepens**
The incident highlights the dire situation in Gaza, where civilians have been waiting for weeks for basic supplies delivered by road. Hamas claimed that aid trucks often arrive in chaotic scenes, with desperate crowds swarming around them. The Israeli Ministry of Defence has been asked for comment, but no response was available at the time of writing.
In a separate incident, Jordan accused Israeli settlers of attacking 30 trucks carrying aid to Gaza. The settlers allegedly blocked roads and pelted the trucks with stones, smashing their windscreens. This is not the first such incident, as similar attacks occurred on Sunday.
**International Pressure Mounts**
The international community has been warning about mass starvation in Gaza, accusing Israel of preventing the distribution of vital aid. More than 100 human rights and aid groups have spoken out against the situation. Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s prime minister, denies that there is starvation and insists that his country isn’t blocking aid.
Despite this, Israel announced last week that it would open humanitarian channels to allow aid convoys to Gaza, following mounting international pressure. The military also announced a “local tactic pause in military activities” for humanitarian purposes in three areas and allowed foreign aid drops.
**Aid Distribution Remains Sporadic**
However, access to humanitarian supplies remains sporadic, with many aid trucks being looted or attacked. The UN has repeatedly called for the full and sustained entry of humanitarian supplies, but Israel insists that there are no restrictions on aid deliveries.
The situation in Gaza is dire, with over 90% of the population displaced and living in overcrowded conditions. At least 61,020 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces since the military offensive began in response to Hamas’s attack on southern Israel last October.
Read More @ www.bbc.com
