VIDEO: People Drown in Gaza While Trying to Retrieve Humanitarian Aid Packages from Water

The authorities in the Gaza Strip have reported that 18 people have died as a result of mishaps during the aerial delivery of humanitarian aid in various regions of the enclave.

“In recent hours, 18 Palestinian civilians have died due to the improper dropping of humanitarian aid,” the statement noted.

According to the announcement, 12 starving residents of the enclave drowned in the sea while attempting to retrieve humanitarian aid packages that had fallen into the water. It was also mentioned that six others died in the chaos while trying to reach the packages dropped from airplanes.

“We hold the American administration and the Israeli occupation responsible for the policies of starvation and siege,” the statement added.

The enclave’s authorities reiterated their criticism of the practice of dropping humanitarian aid from airplanes, calling for the opening of border crossings for its delivery.