According to video footage of the aid airdrop, crowds of people can be seen running toward the beach in Beit Lahia in northern Gaza as aid boxes are being dropped into the sea. The video also recorded scenes of people standing deep in the water despite the danger, followed by bodies being pulled onto the sand.
Palestinians flock to the sea to receive airdropped aid in the northern Gaza Strip, March 25. Photo: Reuters
This is the latest in a series of incidents involving casualties during the delivery of aid to areas crowded with Palestinian civilians, where some were looking for weeds or processed animal feed to survive. .
A piece of paper accompanying the aid on March 25 stated that this aid airdrop was from the US. In Washington, the Pentagon said three of 3 aid packages dropped into Gaza on March 3 malfunctioned and fell into the water, but could not confirm whether anyone died trying to reach them. .
The video shows the body of a young man being pulled onto the beach, eyes open but motionless, and a man performing chest compressions in the hope that the young man can escape.
“He swam to find food for his children and he lost his life for that cause. They should provide aid through land routes. Why are they doing this to us?,” said an anonymous man on the beach.
According to aid agencies, Gaza has only received about 20% of the aid it needs as Israel continues to conduct air and ground attacks, pushing part of the area into famine. Delivering aid by air or sea cannot replace vital supplies by land via Israel or Egypt.
Aid distribution to Gaza is complicated, especially in the north. Last month, health authorities in Gaza accused the Israeli army of killing more than 100 people as they tried to receive aid from a convoy. Israel disputed that report, saying the casualties were caused by a stampede or a vehicle run over.
Hoai Phuong (according to Reuters)
