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WFP halts staff movement in Gaza after vehicle fired on by Israeli forces

August 29, 2024 at 12:24 pm

A UN vehicle returning from a humanitarian mission was hit by bullets at an Israeli checkpoint near the Wadi Gaza bridge on 28 August, 2024 [@WFP_Media]

The World Food Programme (WFP) announced on Wednesday that it was halting staff movement in Gaza temporarily after one of its vehicles came under fire from Israeli forces at a checkpoint, Anadolu has reported.

The UN vehicle was returning from a humanitarian mission when it was hit by at least 10 bullets at an Israeli checkpoint near the Wadi Gaza bridge, despite being clearly marked and having received prior clearance from Israeli authorities.

“This is totally unacceptable and the latest in a series of unnecessary security incidents that have endangered the lives of WFP’s team in Gaza,” said WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain. She emphasised that the current deconfliction system is failing, and called on Israeli authorities and all parties involved to ensure the safety of aid workers.

“This is not the first security incident to occur during the war, it is the first time that a WFP vehicle has been directly shot at near a checkpoint, despite securing the necessary clearances, as per standard protocol,” the official added.

While none of the staff members were injured, the WFP highlighted that this incident underscores the shrinking humanitarian space in the Gaza Strip, where increasing violence is severely impacting the delivery of life-saving aid.

Earlier, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters during a news conference that the incident “underscores that the systems in place for coordination are not working.” He also denounced the “direct rhetoric” from Israeli officials against the UN, UNRWA and Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. “Words have consequences,” he warned.

Israel is continuing its brutal offensive on Gaza which began after the cross-border incursion by Hamas last October. The onslaught has killed over 40,500 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and wounded nearly 94,000 others, according to local health authorities. Vast tracts of Gaza lie in ruins amid a crippling blockade of food, clean water and medicine.

Israel is accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice for its actions in the blockaded enclave. The apartheid state denies the allegation.

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