US Democratic Sen. Chris Coons has voiced his distress over the high number of civilian casualties in Gaza, particularly in an incident where Israeli forces opened fire on a group of people waiting for aid on February 29. Coons emphasized that 'far too many civilians have died' in the past six months of conflict against Hamas.
An investigation by a reliable source analyzed videos and testimonies from eyewitnesses, raising doubts about Israel's account of the events that led to over 100 deaths and 700 injuries. Forensic and ballistic experts reviewed the evidence, suggesting that gunfire began before the IDF claimed the convoy had started crossing the checkpoint and that shots were fired at close range among the crowd.
The findings of the investigation shed light on the chaotic situation in Gaza and the challenges faced in delivering humanitarian aid. Senator Coons called for urgent changes to address the escalating crisis and stressed the need for improved deconfliction measures to prevent further civilian casualties.
During a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu six weeks ago, Coons raised concerns about the rising number of fatalities among aid workers. He noted that despite efforts to improve deconfliction, the situation has not improved, leading to continued risks for those involved in humanitarian missions.