The massacre began early Thursday when a convoy of trucks carrying supplies arrived in Gaza (file photo)
New Delhi:
India expressed shock at the human toll in northern Gaza on Thursday after more than 100 people were killed as Palestinians gathered around aid trucks in search of food.
“We are deeply shocked by the loss of lives caused during the delivery of humanitarian aid in northern Gaza yesterday,” the foreign ministry said.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains worrying, the MEA said.
“This loss of civilian life and the wider humanitarian situation in Gaza remains extremely worrying. We reiterate our call for the safe and timely delivery of humanitarian assistance and assistance,” the MEA said in a statement.
CNN cited Palestinian officials and witnesses as saying that Israeli troops allegedly opened fire, killing the Palestinians.
The massacre began early Thursday when a convoy of trucks carrying supplies landed on Harun Al Rashid Street in the Sheikh Ajrin neighborhood of western Gaza City.
According to witnesses, people gathered around newly arrived rescue vehicles when Israeli soldiers opened fire. According to one account, several people were hit and killed by trucks.
A witness told CNN that as the rescue truck tried to flee the scene, other trucks were accidentally hit, causing more casualties.
Responding to the fatal incident, Israel Defense Forces spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Peter Lerner clarified that the aid trucks involved were “international aid provided by the government and transported to the north in private trucks. We need to do everything we can to ease the humanitarian situation.”
Meanwhile, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres strongly condemned the devastating incident, with the Gaza Health Ministry saying more than 100 people had been killed.
“Desperate civilians in Gaza need urgent help, including in the besieged north, and the United Nations has been unable to provide assistance for more than a week,” said Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for the United Nations Secretary-General. Although the United Nations was not present during the incident , but it called for a thorough investigation into the tragic events.
Mr. Guterres expressed dismay at the death toll among Gazans in the ongoing conflict, noting that the Health Ministry reported more than 30,000 dead and more than 70,000 injured.
“It is tragic how many people lie under the rubble,” the UN chief said, underscoring the urgent need for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and the unconditional release of all Israeli hostages in Gaza.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
