Killing those who stand for aid Israel exposes its ‘ugly massacre’ strategy

Israel has shown that it would not hesitate to use its weapons when it comes to massacring Palestinians by bombing unarmed Palestinians gathering aid in Gaza, resulting in a tragic loss of over 120 lives, amid an international cry for a ceasefire.

The incident, condemned by Palestinian leaders and neighbouring countries, has ignited calls for urgent international intervention to establish a ceasefire and protect civilians caught in the crossfire.

The Palestinian Authority President, Mahmoud Abbas, characterized the event as an "ugly massacre" committed by the Israeli occupation army. The Gaza Ministry of Health reported at least 112 people killed and over 750 wounded, emphasizing the need for immediate international intervention to halt the escalating humanitarian crisis.

Hamas, the Palestinian group engaged in conflict with Israel in Gaza, labelled the attack as a "heinous massacre" and part of Israel's "war of starvation" against the people of Gaza. The group urged the United Nations Security Council and Arab states to compel Israel to cease mass killings, ethnic cleansing, and violations of international law in the region.

Amid conflicting narratives, the Israeli army claimed that civilians in Gaza had attacked aid trucks, leading to a tragic stampede. However, witnesses disputed these accounts, with Palestinian novelist Yusri al-Ghoul questioning the rationale behind targeting aid seekers and the use of lethal force against civilians.

The White House expressed deep concern over the incident, describing it as a "serious incident" and acknowledging the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza. President Joe Biden remarked that the conflicting reports would complicate negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza.

International condemnation poured in from various quarters. Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia condemned the attack, with Egypt calling it an "inhumane Israeli targeting" of unarmed civilians. European leaders, including Belgian Deputy Prime Minister Petra De Sutter and EU Foreign Affairs Chief Josep Borrell, denounced the deaths as "totally unacceptable" and a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law.

China joined the global outcry, with Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning stating that China was "shocked" by the incident and strongly condemning it. China urged relevant parties, especially Israel, to cease fire, protect civilians, ensure humanitarian aid access, and prevent a worsening humanitarian disaster.

The tragedy also prompted Yemen to declare the incident a "war crime and collective punishment of innocent people." Yemen's Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticized the ongoing crimes against the Palestinian people, asserting that they fuel terrorism and extremism in the region.

As the international community grapples with the aftermath of this heart-breaking incident, calls for an effective independent investigation have emerged. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres expressed shock and called for a thorough investigation into the latest episode in the ongoing conflict with Israel.

The situation remains tense as hopes for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas fade in the wake of this tragic event. President Biden, who earlier hinted at the possibility of a deal, dialled back optimism, acknowledging the complexity introduced by the recent violence.