 "4 die at aid centre in Gaza, UN food agency says 'hordes of hungry' Palestinians stormed warehouse")
The United Nation’s World Food Programme (WFP) has said that “hordes of hungry” people stormed into a food supply warehouse in central Gaza, days after aid started entering the Palestinian territory after days of blockage.
At least four people have died in the accident, with two being fatally crushed to death while the others were shot. AFP released video footage showing crowds storming the Al-Ghafari warehouse in Deir Al-Balah, seizing bags of flour and boxes of food while gunfire echoed in the background. The source of the gunshots, however, remained unclear.
The WFP said in a statement that the stampede-like situation occurred after humanitarian needs “spiralled out of control” in Gaza following a three-month-long blockade by Israel.
“Hordes of hungry people broke into WFP’s al-Ghafari warehouse in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza, in search of food supplies that were pre-positioned for distribution,” WFP said.
“Gaza needs an immediate scale-up of food assistance. This is the only way to reassure people that they will not starve,” the agency added.
Another food distribution site witnesses chaos
According to a report by The Guardian, the latest incident came a day after one civilian was shot dead and 48 others were left injured at a separate food distribution point. The outlet said that Israel had opened fire at the gathering of Palestinians who were collecting aid from the centre.
Witnesses say Israeli forces opened fire after crowds of Palestinians breached the fences surrounding a distribution centre operated by a US-backed organisation selected by Israel to deliver food into Gaza.
The group had reportedly lost control of the site. An Israeli military helicopter was seen firing flares, and distant bursts of gunfire were heard. In one video, a large group of frightened civilians, including women and children, is seen fleeing in panic, trampling over the fencing.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsWhat about ceasefire?
Israel stepped up its military offensive earlier this month, while mediators push for a still elusive ceasefire.
In Tel Aviv, hundreds of people called for a ceasefire, lining roads at 6:29 am – the exact time the unprecedented October 7 attack began.
Relatives of hostages held since that attack also gathered in Tel Aviv.
“I want you to know that when Israel blows up deals, it does so on the heads of the hostages,” said Arbel Yehud, who was freed from Gaza captivity in January.
“Their conditions immediately worsen, food diminishes, pressure increases, and bombings and military actions do not save them, they endanger their lives.”
Out of 251 hostages seized during the October 7 attack, 57 remain in Gaza, including 34, the Israeli military says, are dead.
With inputs from agencies
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