UNITED NATIONS — The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) temporarily suspended movements across the Gaza Strip on Wednesday after it said one of its clearly marked vehicles was struck by at least 10 bullets while approaching an Israeli military checkpoint.
WFP said in a statement that the convoy of two armored vehicles had received “multiple clearances by Israeli authorities to approach” the checkpoint at the Wadi Gaza bridge on Tuesday evening.
“A clearly marked UN humanitarian vehicle, part of a convoy that had been fully coordinated with the IDF was struck 10 times by IDF gunfire, including with bullets targeting front windows,” UN Secretary-General spokesman Stephane Dujarric said, adding that the two occupants were unharmed.
“This is the latest incident to underscore that systems in place for coordination are not working, and we continue to work with the IDF to ensure that incidents like that do not happen again,” Dujarric told reporters.
“We have no way to assess the mindset of those who are shooting at us,” he added.
It is not the first incident of UN vehicles being hit since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas, triggered by the unprecedented October 7 attack.
In May, a UN staff member from India was killed when their vehicle was struck by what the United Nations said was tank fire in southern Gaza.
AN-REUTERS, 28/08/2024
