The World Food Programme (WFP) has strongly condemned the “appalling” incident on Sunday when a humanitarian convoy bearing WFP identification marks was fired upon by the Israeli military near the Wadi Gaza crossing.
The WFP said in a statement:
“As a result of the incident, the lives of our staff were put at great risk and the vehicles were unable to continue travelling.”
The convoy, which consisted of three cars, came under fire despite the fact that the WFP had previously received all necessary permits from the Israeli authorities for the vehicles to proceed. The vehicles were hit by at least 16 bullets. The statement said it was fortunate that no WFP staff were injured. It also added:
“This unacceptable event is the latest example of the difficult and dangerous environment in which humanitarian agencies operate in Gaza. Improved security conditions in Gaza are urgently needed if life-saving humanitarian assistance is to continue.”
The WFP called on all parties to respect international humanitarian law, protect the lives of civilians and ensure safe passage for humanitarian aid.
War and blockade
Israeli forces continue to launch air, land and sea strikes across the Gaza Strip, causing more civilian casualties as well as the destruction of homes and public infrastructure, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) said on Monday.
In northern Gaza, Israeli forces have been conducting a ground offensive since October 6, 2024 and continue to keep a tight blockade on the local population, the statement said.
The intense military operations are being conducted in the face of a near total lack of humanitarian aid, as well as severe communication and internet disruptions. Some neighbourhoods in North Gaza province have been under tight siege for more than three months. Access remains extremely difficult and attempts by humanitarian organisations to deliver aid to besieged areas have been thwarted, leaving thousands without access to food, water, electricity and medical care.
According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), between October 6 and December 30, 2024, the UN attempted to reach besieged areas in Northern Gaza 164 times; 148 of the requests made were rejected by the Israeli authorities; in 16 cases, approval was difficult to obtain.
Greece’s former finance minister Yanis Varoufakis wrote on X:
“Another day another Israeli war crime: They attacked, again, a UN aid convoy in Gaza.”
