In a disturbing turn of events, several civilians in Gaza City have come forward with accounts of being targeted by Israeli snipers as they attempted to evacuate their neighborhoods, even as diplomatic efforts to broker a ceasefire were underway.
The attacks reportedly took place after the Israeli military issued a new evacuation order, instructing Palestinians to head south from various parts of Gaza City. This order came even as mediators from Qatar, the United States, and Egypt were meeting with Israeli officials in Doha to discuss a potential ceasefire.
One eyewitness, speaking to Al Jazeera, described a harrowing incident where he witnessed an Israeli sniper shoot a man on a bicycle who was carrying canned food. The sniper shot him directly, the man said, adding that they were unable to retrieve the body due to the ongoing danger.
Another woman recounted her experience, stating that she had wanted to pass through Yarmouk stadium but was told there were bodies of Palestinians in the streets who had been shot by Israeli snipers. We came to ask for help from the paramedics and firefighters to at least take the dead bodies so they wouldn't remain in the street, she said. They need to be buried.
Multiple people reported seeing a man walking peacefully in the street who was shot in the head by a sniper positioned in a tower. One man said, This person was walking peacefully, and then a bullet was shot into his head. We went down and brought him here.
Ambulance staff who were forced to turn back told the witnesses that they had not received instructions to retrieve the bodies, and that they had been warned that anyone approaching the deceased would be shot.
These disturbing accounts come amidst the ongoing conflict between Israel and Gaza, which has already claimed the lives of hundreds of Palestinians, including many civilians. The latest escalation of violence has sparked international concern and calls for a ceasefire, as the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate.
The reports of snipers targeting civilians fleeing their homes add a new layer of tragedy to the already dire situation, raising questions about the tactics being employed by the Israeli military and the impact on the civilian population. As the diplomatic efforts continue, the international community will be closely watching to ensure the protection of civilian lives and the establishment of a lasting peace.
