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Palestinian Arabs

Gaza Aid Centre Stampede Leaves 20 Dead as Israel and Hamas Negotiate Ceasefire

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

A stampede at an aid centre in southern Gaza killed at least 20 people on Wednesday, with conflicting accounts emerging from the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) and the Palestinian territory's civil defence agency. The incident highlights the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, where a devastating war has been ongoing for over 21 months. The deaths came as indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas aimed to seal a deal for a 60-day ceasefire, the release of hostages held in Gaza, and the unfettered flow of aid into the territory.

Key Takeaways:

  • At least 20 people were killed in a stampede at an aid centre in southern Gaza on Wednesday, with the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) blaming "agitators" within the crowd and the Palestinian territory's civil defence agency attributing the panic to Israeli gunfire.
  • The incident is the first reported death at a GHF distribution site, after weeks of chaotic scenes and near-daily reports of Palestinians being killed nearby while waiting to collect rations.
  • The GHF, backed by the United States and Israel, has acknowledged deaths at its distribution sites, but disputed the civil defence agency's account of the incident, citing credible evidence of "elements within the crowd" deliberately fomenting the unrest.
  • Gaza's civil defence agency blamed the Israeli military for the deaths, saying that thousands had gathered at the site when "Israeli forces opened fire and used (tear) gas, causing panic and a stampede".
  • The UN has recorded 875 people killed in Gaza while trying to get food since late May, including 674 in the vicinity of GHF sites.
  • Hamas has accused Israel of wanting to retain long-term military control of Gaza, a key sticking point in the ongoing truce negotiations.
  • The Israeli military has not commented on the incident, while Hamas slammed Israel's proposal for a ceasefire, saying it would have maintained troops in more than 40 percent of the territory.

Statistics:

  • 20 people killed in a stampede at an aid centre in southern Gaza on Wednesday.
  • 875 people killed in Gaza while trying to get food since late May, according to the UN.
  • 674 people killed in the vicinity of GHF sites, according to the UN.
  • 58,573 Palestinians killed in Gaza, mostly civilians, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory.
  • 60-day ceasefire proposed in ongoing truce negotiations between Israel and Hamas.
  • Over 21 months of devastating war in Gaza.
  • 1,219 people killed in Israel as a result of Hamas's attack on October 7, 2023.

Sources:

  • BSS news release
  • AFP report
  • Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) statement
  • Palestinian civil defence agency statement
  • Israeli military statement
  • UN report
  • AFP tally based on official figures

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