Israel-Hamas war live updates: Cease-fire negotiations inch forward as Israel plans Rafah ground offensive
NBCFeb 28
Israeli Troops Fire on Palestinian Crowd, Over 100 Dead in Chaos
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Image copyright: Amir Levy/Stringer/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Facts
Palestinian officials and eyewitnesses on Thursday reported that Israeli forces opened fire on a crowd of Palestinians gathered around newly arrived aid trucks in western Gaza City. Over 100 people were killed by the gunfire and resulting chaos.
Israel disputed the number of fatalities and called its actions "a limited response." Israel said that hundreds of people surrounded the trucks, leading to some being run over. Then, remnants of the crowd reportedly approached nearby Israeli forces, who first fired warning shots before shooting at whom they deemed a threat.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
Due to the complicated nature of unfortunate incidents like this one, Israel must conduct a thorough investigation to maintain its moral high ground and demonstrate that it's serious about ending this war. The US has proudly stood by Israel in its war against Hamas' terrorist forces. However, with every passing day that a temporary cease-fire is not in effect, Israel loses the strategic gains it has made and isolates itself on the international stage.
Pro-Israel narrative
Thursday's tragic security incident was an unfortunate reminder of one of the many difficulties Israel is facing. Footage from the incident clearly shows hundreds of Palestinians aggressively attacking the aid trucks, and Israeli forces did their best in a bad situation. The international community, even as it forgets Hamas' Oct. 7 atrocities, must remember that Israel did not want this war and it has been forced to take dramatic action to ensure its survival.
Pro-Palestine narrative
Israel has committed yet another terrible massacre in Gaza only to be greeted with calls for an investigation and restraint. There already is more than enough evidence to suggest that Israeli forces fired indiscriminately into the crowds of terrified and hungry Palestinians barely managing to survive. Indeed, this massacre is another reminder of the lack of accountability Israel faces as it mercilessly continues its brutal campaign against Palestinians.
