Israeli troops opened fire on UN aid convoys to northern Gaza at least four times in the last three months, according to reports Washington Post. The Israeli military attack damaged the vehicle and almost hit the UN staff members inside.
On September 9, Israeli soldiers also reportedly held up a UN convoy for polio treatment at gunpoint for 7.5 hours. They were interrogated and finally allowed to continue their journey.
“They basically surrounded our vehicle, pointed assault rifles at our car and they shouted that we were terrorists,” said a UN staffer interviewed anonymously.
The Israeli army holds significant sway at checkpoints that humanitarian workers must pass through to enter northern Gaza and frequently face such risks.
“Our colleagues risked their lives to save others and were too often attacked. Throughout this conflict, we have demanded respect for international humanitarian law and human rights. There must be accountability,” said the acting head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in the Palestinian territories , Jonathan Whittall.
“In no other context would we accept to operate in such conditions, but in Gaza, people cannot leave the war zone and seek help elsewhere,” he added.
Meanwhile, the United States government began to put pressure on Israel to improve the dire humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip.
Officials in Washington have threatened to suspend military aid if aid flows in Gaza are not restored by Israel within a month.
(Dhk/P-3)
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