Twenty killed after the trucks overturned in Gaza, says the civil defense led by Hamas

Twenty people were killed and more than 30 injured in the center of Gaza after four trucks overturned on a crowd, said the civil defense agency managed by Hamas.

Crowds rushed to vehicles on a road southeast of Deir al-Balah on Tuesday evening. They climbed on the trucks, losing control of drivers, local journalists told the BBC.

The region was under Israeli military control and the roads were robust and dangerous, said spokesman for the Civil Defense Agency Mahmoud Basal.

The Association of Private Transports now operating in Gaza said that 26 commercial trucks had entered the territory on Tuesday. Six were looted and four of those who were overthrown, causing deaths and injuries.

Israel has announced that this would start to allow the gradual entry of goods to Gaza via the private sector to “increase the volume of aid” entering the enclave while reducing dependence on the UN.

Approved supplies include babies, fruits, vegetables, hygiene products and basic staples.

The BBC has contacted the Israeli Defense Ministry for Comments.

Hamas said civilians are waiting for basic supplies to have been delivered by road for weeks. “This often translates into desperate crowds swarming the trucks,” said his media office.

Help trucks have been frequently precipitated, leading to chaotic scenes.

In a separate incident on Wednesday, Jordan said the Israeli settlers had attacked a convoy of aid to Gaza of 30 trucks and accused Israel of not having prevented such attacks.

The convoy crossed the Jordanian border and headed for the crossing of Zikim de Gaza. The settlers blocked the road and trampled on the trucks with stones, breaking windshields.

“This requires serious Israeli intervention and no leniency in the treatment of those who hinder these convoys,” said government spokesman Mohammad al-Momani.

He added that it was the second attack on a Jordanian help convoy, following a similar incident on Sunday.

On Wednesday, the Ministry of Health managed by Hamas reported five new deaths following malnutrition, bringing its total to 193 since the start of the war, including 96 children.

More than 100 international assistance organizations and human rights groups have warned against mass famine in Gaza and accuse Israel of prevented the distribution of crucial aid.

Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli Prime Minister, denies that there is famine on the territory and insists that his country does not block aid.

Last week, the Israeli army said that it would open humanitarian corridors to allow convoys of Gaza aid after assembly of international pressure.

He also announced what he called a “local tactical break in military activity” for humanitarian purposes in three areas, and allowed decreases in foreign aid.

About 90% of the 2.1 million people in Gaza were moved, some on several occasions and live in overcrowded and disastrous conditions.

The UN has repeatedly called upon the complete and sustained entry of humanitarian supplies, but access remains sporadic and many aid trucks are looted.

Israel insists that there is no restriction on aid deliveries and has repeatedly refuted what he describes as “the false complaint of deliberate famine”.

Israel launched its military offensive in Gaza in response to the attack on Hamas against southern Israel on October 7, 2023, during which around 1,200 people were killed and 251 other people taken to Gaza as hostages.

At least 61,020 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza since then, the Ministry of Health managed by Hamas said.