World Food Programme Suspends Employee Movement in Gaza After Gunfire Incident

The World Food Programme (WFP) has announced a freeze on employee movement in Gaza after one of its vehicles came under gunfire just meters from an Israeli checkpoint, CNN reports.

The humanitarian agency issued a statement regarding the incident, which occurred despite the vehicle being clearly marked and having received multiple clearances from Israeli authorities.

According to the WFP, the armored vehicle was returning from a humanitarian mission when it was struck by gunfire as it approached an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) checkpoint. A photo released by the agency revealed significant damage to the driver’s side window, showing multiple bullet marks, with at least 10 bullets reported to have hit the vehicle. Fortunately, none of the employees onboard were physically harmed.

The IDF has stated that the incident is under review. The WFP serves as the primary food relief agency for the United Nations and plays a crucial role in providing humanitarian assistance in the besieged Gaza Strip, where famine conditions have persisted for months. However, relentless airstrikes and continuous evacuation orders from Israeli forces have forced the agency to close numerous food warehouses and community kitchens in the region.

WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain criticized the current deconfliction system.

“As last night’s events show, the current deconfliction system is failing, and this cannot go on any longer,” he said.

Humanitarian workers typically coordinate their travel routes with Israeli forces to ensure safety, but recent events have raised concerns about the effectiveness of these measures.

Tragic incidents involving aid workers in the region have also been reported. In April, members of another hunger relief group, World Central Kitchen, were killed in an Israeli airstrike while traveling through Gaza, despite having coordinated their route with Israeli authorities, resulting in multiple fatalities.

During a press briefing on Wednesday, UN Secretary General spokesperson Stephane Dujarric stressed that the WFP vehicle was clearly marked, noting that the UN has formally protested to Israel regarding this incident and reiterated the obligation of UN member states to protect aid workers operating in some of the world’s most perilous areas.

Amidst these challenges, pressure is mounting on Hamas, which governs Gaza, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to broker a ceasefire and facilitate the release of hostages. The ongoing military campaign in Gaza has led to at least 40,435 deaths among Palestinians and injuries to over 93,534, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health. The Israeli military launched its assault in response to a Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023.