Tragedy struck off the coast of Gaza on Tuesday, as 12 people drowned while attempting to reach aid dropped by a plane on a beach. Palestinian health authorities reported the incident, highlighting the desperate situation faced by many amid fears of famine, which have intensified nearly six months into Israel’s military campaign.
Video footage shows the desperation of Gazans
As per Reuters, video footage obtained by it bears witness to the chaotic scene as crowds rushed towards crates with parachutes floating down to Beit Lahia beach in north Gaza.
The footage, which because of its sensitive nature has not been added to this report, shows people standing in deep water and bodies being pulled onto the sand.
It also revealed that the aid was marked with Arabic writing over an American flag, indicating its origin.
‘Why are they doing this to us?,’ asks one Gazan
As per Reuters, tragically, one man lost his life while attempting to procure food for his children. In the video, another man could be seen trying to revive him when a voice in the background says, “It’s over”.
“He swam to get food for his children and he was martyred,” revealed a man standing on the beach.
“They should deliver aid through the (overland) crossings. Why are they doing this to us?” he added.
Meanwhile, in Washington, the Pentagon revealed that three of the eighteen bundles of aid airdropped into Gaza on Monday experienced parachute malfunctions and fell into the water. However, they failed to confirm whether anyone was killed in the attempt to reach the aid.
The airdrop, intended to alleviate the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza, is the latest in a series of incidents involving deaths during aid delivery in the densely populated enclave.
Watch | Gaza’s hungry civilians forced to eat wild plant with no aid relief in sight
The incident has sparked questions about the effectiveness and safety of aid delivery methods, with aid agencies calling for increased supplies to enter Gaza through land crossings.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has urged Israel to give an “ironclad commitment” for unfettered aid access to Gaza, describing the current situation as a “moral outrage.” However, Israel maintains that it imposes no limits on humanitarian aid entering Gaza and blames inefficiencies in distribution on UN agencies.
(With inputs from agencies)
