IDF spokesman says claim troops intentionally harmed civilians in Gaza aid chaos is ‘baseless’

Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent

This image grab from a handout video released by the Israeli army on February 29, 2024, shows Gazans surrounding aid trucks in Gaza City. (IDF via AFP)
This image grab from a handout video released by the Israeli army on February 29, 2024, shows Gazans surrounding aid trucks in Gaza City. (IDF via AFP)

IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari says Israel will present its findings from Thursday’s deadly incident in the Gaza Strip, during which more than 100 Palestinians were reported killed and hundreds more wounded while swarming aid trucks in Gaza City.

Hamas accused Israeli troops of shooting at the crowd of thousands, while the IDF says many of the casualties were trampled in a chaotic crush for the food aid, and that its troops only fired at a few individuals who rushed toward them in a threatening manner.

“We are investigating this incident, we have all the footage we need to complete an exhaustive investigation and find out the truth of the facts of this incident, and we will present the findings,” Hagari says in an evening press conference.

“This was a humanitarian operation we conducted, and the claim that we intentionally struck the convoy and intentionally harmed people is baseless,” he adds.

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