Ever since the fateful attack committed by Hamas against Israel on October 7th, the front in the Middle East not only in Gaza but all over the region has been expanding with more and more groups rising and beginning minor conflicts. The Israel-Hamas war has been at the forefront of the news because of the controversial nature of the war. With the historic feud between the two groups leading to the extremely bitter fighting and treatment of civilians, it has led to global unrest proclaiming unjust treatment and support for both sides. With the several atrocities that have been heard about in the news, people have been increasingly split on who to support due to the extremely divisive and brutal fighting being experienced in Gaza. Whether it be the Hamas group and the extremist and terrorist tendencies. Or Israel and their brutal treatment of civilians and the war crimes they committed including the purposeful targeting of the Palestinian medical convoys to the consistent bombing of civilian infrastructure. As well as the Palestinian civilians caught in the middle trying to survive the constant bombing, lynch mobs, and apocalyptic landscape of the now ruined landscape of Gaza city. With a lack of food, water and medical supplies, the life of a Gazan civilian is truly hellish and continues to get worse every day. With the most recent and tragic example of desperation and brutality shown recently. The tragedy of one flour bag. The Flour Massacre.
For many decades the contentious relationship between Israel and Palestine had been resting on a fine balance. Years and years of peace deals falling through and no progress made on either side made both groups. The powderkeg was slowly becoming more and more unstable in the region as both groups had minor clashes that were quickly resolved. Palestine has been frustrated with the continued pressure of losing land and poor treatment at the hands of Israelis. This continues with the old feud that this was once their entire land and had to be forced to split it with Israelis in the 50’s. Israel has been getting frustrated with unrest and violent actions being brought against them by not only disgruntled Palestinians, but the Muslim states surrounding them. With the pressure of being surrounded by countries that did not respect or like them, Israel has become much more focused on being militarily ahead.
Over the past few months, the Palestinians have had hundreds of aid trucks and drops enter Gaza to help combat the starvation, and medical emergencies in the hospitals. As early as October 21st, aid trucks have been moving into the strip. As of the most recent studies, roughly 3,000 to 7,000 aid trucks are being held at the border of Egypt for inspections to make sure none of the trucks are supplying Hamas and their fight. Hospitals throughout Gaza struggle with the lack of supplies and medical equipment to handle the wounded. A quote from Palestinian doctor Almasharqah “It is a frustrating situation to describe. I mean, everything was difficult.” The 54 year old says that the majority of patients he has seen are women and children. It has become clear that the situation facing the Palestinians is a dire one. The aid trucks moving into Gaza have been steady in recent months but still suffer being fired upon. As recently as April 6th, a vehicle with medical staff and supplies was hit and destroyed by Israeli drone strikes. The Israelis later said that the attack had been a mistake.
That brings us to the situation recently uncovered that had been attempted to be covered up by the IDF. On February 29th, another aid convoy had reached the Palestinian civilians and thousands flocked to the site to try and get food to support themselves and their families. Over the next few minutes, 22 eyewitnesses, video footage and Israeli drone footage showed the tragedy that was about to unfold. According to an article written by CNN updated as recently as today. According to a witness named Jihad Watfa he claimed he saw Israeli tanks approach. He pulled out his phone and began recording as they began opening fire into the crowd. “We are now under siege, a tank is beside us and it is shelling.” According to the reports from CNN, the Israelis fired warning shots to keep civilians away from the convoy. Many civilians ran towards the truck and attempted to get to the truck holding flour. IDF forces began to open fire into the crowd of civilians. Killing any that got near the flour. Civilians ran over dead bodies trying to get to the food as many fled and the tanks continued rolling forward running over dead bodies. The aid trucks trying to get away from the gunfire ran into people causing more dead and wounded. A massive stampede began as hundreds ran in terror. After the gunfire ceased, reports have stated that 118 were killed and over 700 injured.
War is messy and cruel. Due to the advent of TV and in the field reporting, the true realities of war are much better known to the public. Incidents like this happen almost constantly in the war currently. While it is true that the civilians should have never run towards a military guarded aid convoy. It is important to remember the situation both sides find themselves in. The Palestinians are struggling to survive in the harsh conditions and ruins of the city. Many are starving and have families they need to feed. Israelis are worried about who is a terrorist and who is a civilian, as well as being concerned about protecting themselves and their home. Making unfortunate situations like this happen. Ultimately the situation and massacre can be pointed both ways but most are on the side that Israel is at fault. There were many different ways to keep people away from the convoy that did not have to be firing into a crowd. The situation could have been handled much better and blood did not need to be spilled. The more damning part on why many claim it is Israel’s fault is also due to the fact that they attempted to hide and cover up this incident from the public.
In the end hundreds were killed and injured in a humanitarian disaster that should have never occurred. Even if the situation was tense, it should always be an absolute last resort to open fire into a crowd of civilians. The U.S is not innocent of actions like this. But it is important for other nations to look at what happened in the Middle East and the mistakes that were made to make the world better. For other countries to strive to do better including the U.S. Unfortunately, that was not what happened in this case. This war is nowhere near done sadly, and blood will continue to be spilled. Sadly even if it is over a bag of flour.
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