US Criticizes Israel for Shooting at Aid Convoy, Calls for Immediate Action
The US has urged Israel to “immediately rectify” its actions following an incident in Gaza in which a United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) aid convoy was fired upon.
The shooting occurred on Tuesday evening, and the US claims that Israel has admitted responsibility, blaming the incident on a communication error within the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
According to US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller, the shooting targeted a clearly marked WFP vehicle as it approached an Israeli military checkpoint near the Wadi Gaza bridge. Although no injuries were reported, the incident prompted the World Food Programme to suspend its operations throughout the Gaza Strip.
Robert Wood, the US Deputy Ambassador to the UN, stated that Israel informed Washington that an initial review of the incident revealed that the shots were fired as a result of a miscommunication between army units. He emphasized the importance of Israel addressing and resolving systemic issues in order to prevent similar incidents from happening again.
The Israeli military has yet to issue a formal response to the incident. On Wednesday, the IDF reported another engagement involving an aid convoy, claiming that a group of armed men had hijacked a vehicle in southern Gaza. The IDF stated that it targeted the vehicle carrying the gunmen while ensuring that the rest of the convoy was unharmed. However, conflicting reports from aid organizations and unconfirmed media accounts suggest that several people were killed in a separate incident.
The shooting incident and subsequent suspension of WFP activities highlight ongoing tensions and concerns about the security of humanitarian operations in Gaza. Despite the ongoing conflict, the UN has been working to address humanitarian needs, including efforts to vaccinate children for polio.
The Associated Press, the Washington Post and the Times of Israel contributed to the report.
