Aid truck overturns amid Gaza blockade crisis: 20 Palestinians killed

At least 20 Palestinians have died after a humanitarian aid truck, carrying food supplies for distribution, overturned in the Gaza Strip.

The incident occurred amid a continuing Israeli blockade that has severely restricted access to humanitarian assistance, Caliber.Az reports, citing Turkish media.

According to a statement from the Media Office of the Gaza government, the Israeli military continues to limit the entry of humanitarian aid, exacerbating an already critical humanitarian crisis.

The statement claims that Israel deliberately directs only a limited number of aid trucks to areas where starving Palestinians have gathered, putting them at risk.

“Under the pressure of Israeli occupation, and amid deliberately created chaos, a humanitarian truck was sent along a previously bombed and impassable road in the Deir al-Balah area. The vehicle overturned on Palestinians attempting to receive food. The tragedy resulted in 20 deaths and dozens injured,” the statement said.

Gaza authorities have accused Israel of committing a “crime of mass starvation,” endangering the lives of 2.4 million people by continuing to block the supply of food, medicine, and essential items.

The statement also condemns the international community’s “criminal silence” in the face of a worsening humanitarian catastrophe that has “crossed all red lines.”

Gaza’s authorities have called on the United Nations and international human rights organisations to intervene immediately to halt Israeli actions, ensure unimpeded and unconditional access to humanitarian aid, and open border crossings on a sustainable and secure basis.

“Inaction, silence, or ignoring what is happening amounts to direct or indirect complicity in the crimes being committed by Israel in Gaza,” local officials declared.

Since October 7, 2023, at least 61,020 Palestinians have been killed and 150,671 injured in Israeli attacks on Gaza. Following the breakdown of a ceasefire on March 18, 2024, Israeli strikes have resulted in 9,519 further deaths and 38,630 injuries.

Since May 27, in areas where aid distribution points operate under the auspices of the US- and Israel-managed Gaza Humanitarian Fund, 1,568 Palestinians have been killed and over 11,230 wounded as a result of targeted attacks.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that Israel is implementing a plan for the full and permanent occupation of the Gaza Strip.