UN food agency pauses movement in Gaza after its vehicle is hit by bullets

UNITED NATIONS

The U.N. food agency has said that it is pausing the movement of all staff in Gaza until further notice after one of its clearly marked vehicles was hit by at least 10 bullets as it was moving toward an Israeli military checkpoint at the Wadi Gaza bridge in the center of the territory.

The World Food Program announcement on Aug. 28 said the vehicle was struck late on Aug. 27 despite receiving multiple clearances by Israeli authorities to approach. “None of the employees onboard were physically harmed,” WFP said.

The agency said two armored WFP vehicles were returning from the Kerem Shalom crossing after escorting a convoy of trucks carrying humanitarian cargo routed to Gaza’s central area.

“Though this is not the first security incident to occur during the war it is the first time that a WFP vehicle has been directly shot at near a checkpoint, despite securing the necessary clearances, as per standard protocol,” the Rome-based agency said.

It called the incident “a stark reminder of the rapidly and ever shrinking humanitarian space in the Gaza Strip, where increasing violence compromises our ability to deliver life-saving assistance.”

WFP said this critical situation is exacerbated “by restricted access and heightened risks” which has led to a decrease in the amount of food reading Palestinians in desperate need.

U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the vehicle was struck by Israeli military gunfire, “including with bullets targeting front windows.” He said the incident shows the need for more U.N. armored vehicles, saying the two people inside the WFP vehicle were saved because it was armored.

Israeli soldiers refuse to return to Gaza, face trial

With Israel continuing to strike on the strip, twenty Israeli soldiers from an infantry brigade reportedly refused to return to combat in Gaza, and some have been informed that they will face a military trial if they do not comply.

Some soldiers have indicated that after 10 months of fighting in Gaza, they are no longer able to return but are willing to take on other duties.

Similar reports of difficulties are emerging from additional battalions in other brigades fighting in the sector.

The families of some of the soldiers have indicated that their sons are being forced to enter ground maneuvers in Gaza or else face imprisonment, which they find unacceptable.