IDF comments on deaths of Gazans during delivery of humanitarian aid

IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagarimade made a statement to the media regarding the deaths of dozens of Gaza residents during the delivery of humanitarian aid.

This morning, the IDF coordinated a convoy of 38 trucks to provide additional humanitarian assistance to the residents of northern Gaza. This humanitarian aid came from Egypt, went through a security screening at the Kerem Shalom humanitarian crossing in Israel, and then entered Gaza for distribution by private contractors.

Starting his speech in English, Hagari stated that on the morning of February 29, IDF forces escorted a convoy of 38 trucks carrying humanitarian assistance to the residents of northern Gaza. The convoy was accompanied by Israeli armored vehicles and tanks. According to him, when the convoy entered the Strip, it was surrounded by a crowd that attempted to block its passage to the destination point and even seize the trucks. The situation posed a threat to the lives of the truck drivers. IDF forces observed that the drivers panicked and lost control, and the trucks went straight toward the people. Hagari stated that the incident was unintentional.

The crowd around the trucks continued to grow, increasing the danger to the lives of the drivers and Gaza residents. In an attempt to restore order, soldiers fired warning shots into the air to disperse the crowd. Seeing that the crowd did not disperse, the tank commander ordered the convoy to turn back to leave the area and prevent a potential collision with the people.

Hagari emphasized that reports in the Palestinian media about the IDF firing at Gaza residents do not correspond to reality. The IDF did not fire at either the convoy or local residents.

Hagari stressed that the IDF escorted the humanitarian aid convoy to help deliver it to the areas in need. He also emphasized that the army operates in accordance with the laws of war and that in this war, the enemy is Hamas, not civilians.