IDF says Hamas behind attack on humanitarian convoy that killed Gazans waiting for aid

The Israel Defense Forces said Palestinian gunmen opened fire on civilians waiting for aid convoys in Gaza City, rejecting claims from the Hamas-run health ministry that IDF troops were behind the slaughter Thursday that left 21 people dead and more than 150 wounded.

The IDF said they “facilitated” the passage of a convoy of 31 humanitarian aid trucks carrying food and supplies meant for civilians in the northern Gaza Strip. Armed Palestinians started firing into the crowds an hour before the convoy arrived at Kuwait Square in Gaza City, officials said.

“As aid trucks were entering, the Palestinian gunmen continued to shoot as the crowd of Gazans began looting the trucks. Additionally, a number of Gazan civilians were run over by the trucks,” the IDF said Friday on the Telegram social messaging site.

The IDF said its “intensive preliminary review” that was conducted overnight found that none of its troops opened fire at the aid convoy.

“A review of our operation systems and IDF forces on the ground found that no tank fire, airstrike or gunfire was carried out toward the Gazan civilians at the aid convoy,” the IDF said.

The IDF said Hamas is behind a smear campaign to spread “baseless misinformation” about Israel with the intent of instigating violence in other areas.

The Israeli military added, “While the IDF continues its humanitarian effort to supply food and humanitarian aid to the civilians of the Gaza Strip, Hamas terrorists continue to harm Gazan civilians who are seeking food — and Hamas is blaming Israel for it.”