The scenes were chaotic: hundreds of people crowded around aid trucks desperately trying to grab what they could amid a hunger crisis that international observers feared could turn into famine. By the end of the night, according to Gazan health authorities, 112 would be dead and more than 700 people injured.
As the Guardian’s diplomatic editor, Patrick Wintour, tells Michael Safi, the events of that night are under investigation amid an international outcry. The incident has brought the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza into sharper focus and led to increasing pressure from Israel’s allies to intensify their efforts in getting food through the crossings and to the people who need it most.
Meanwhile, attempts to broker a ceasefire deal in time for Ramadan next week appear to be faltering. As we record, no deal appeared to be in sight and US forces, in an attempt to bypass the Israelis, have resorted to dropping aid in pallets from planes into Gaza.
Photograph: Anadolu/Getty Images
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