Pentagon says 'civilians must be protected' after Israeli attack on Palestinians seeking aid

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - The Pentagon urged Israel Thursday to protect civilians during its ongoing operations in Gaza after over 100 malnourished people were killed while waiting for humanitarian aid.

Pentagon spokesperson Maj. Gen. Patrick Ryder said the reports emerging from Gaza are "alarming," adding that the "situation highlights the tragic nature of this conflict."

"We're, of course, very saddened to hear about this loss of innocent lives. And we do acknowledge, as I just said a moment ago, that too many civilians have been killed in Israel's military operations, and we continue to reiterate that civilian lives must be protected," he said.

"This situation also does underscore the critical importance of ensuring that much needed humanitarian assistance. can be delivered to the people of Gaza in a safe, secure and sustained manner," added Ryder.

Thursday's attack occurred at dawn as hundreds of Palestinians were waiting to receive desperately-needed humanitarian aid near the al-Nablusi roundabout area, south of Gaza City, when they came under Israeli fire, according to eyewitnesses. Gaza's Health Ministry said at least 112 Palestinians were killed and 760 others injured.

The Israeli military said an initial investigation found that the Palestinians had approached a military checkpoint overseeing the entry of the aid trucks and that soldiers had fired warning shots at their legs as they continued to advance towards the troops.

Israel has launched a deadly military offensive on the Gaza Strip since an Oct. 7 Hamas attack, which Tel Aviv said killed about 1,200 people.

At least 30,035 Palestinians have since been killed and more than 70,457 others injured amid mass destruction and shortages of necessities.

Israel has also imposed a crippling blockade on the Gaza Strip, leaving its population, particularly residents of northern Gaza, on the verge of starvation.

The Israeli war has pushed 85% of Gaza’s population into internal displacement amid acute shortages of food, clean water and medicine, while 60% of the enclave's infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed, according to the UN.

Israel is accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice. An interim ruling in January ordered Tel Aviv to stop genocidal acts and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza.