Thousands of hungry Palestinians storm UN food depot in Gaza Strip, some dead (video)
Four people were killed in an incident in the Gaza Strip when thousands of starving Palestinians broke into a UN humanitarian aid convoy. About this informs The Guardian.
Medics said two of the dead were victims of a stampede and two more of gunshot wounds after a mob stormed a World Food Program (WFP) compound in the city of Deir al-Bala.
At the moment, it remains unknown who exactly opened fire – the Israeli military, warehouse guards or other persons. The Red Cross Field Hospital reported that women and children with gunshot wounds were among the wounded. The Israeli military said it only opened warning fire near the warehouse to regain control, and denied firing at people.
The UN representatives confirmed the incident:
“Thousands of hungry people stormed the WFP compound in Deir al-Bala in search of food supplies that had been prepared for distribution. Humanitarian needs have spiraled out of control after 80 days of a total blockade of all food and other aid in Gaza. Only an immediate scale-up of food support can save the situation.”
Against the background of the 11-week blockade by Israel, the majority of the population of Gaza was on the verge of starvation. Doctors and humanitarian organizations report widespread cases of malnutrition and starvation. WFP-supported bakeries were forced to close due to lack of gas to bake bread, and food prices skyrocketed.
