JERUSALEM: Israel's military has completed a preliminary review of civilian deaths at a Gaza aid convoy last week, which determined that forces did not strike the convoy and that most Palestinians died in a stampede, the military spokesperson said on Sunday.
"The IDF has concluded an initial review of the unfortunate incident where Gazan civilians were trampled to death and injured as they charged to the aid convoy," said spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari.
The review, he said, which gathered information from commanders and forces in the field, determined that no strike was carried out towards the aid convoy.
"The majority of Palestinians were killed or injured as a result of the stampede," Hagari said.
"Following the warning shots fired to disperse the stampede and after our forces had started retreating, several looters approached our forces and posed an immediate threat to them.
According to the initial review, the soldiers responded toward several individuals," he said. — REUTERS
