NEW YORK, January 7, 2025 (WAFA) - The United Nations has condemned the Israeli occupation forces’ targeting of a World Food Programme convoy in Gaza, and called for rejecting violations against the crews of agencies working in the field of humanitarian aid to support the Palestinians amid the occupation’s siege and war of extermination for 15 months.
The World Food Programme condemned the occupation forces’ shooting at a convoy clearly marked with its signs, near the “Wadi Gaza checkpoint” in the middle of the Strip.
The programme said in a statement on its website that the attack “put the lives of the convoy’s crew at grave risk, and led to the vehicles being stopped from moving.”
It continued: “The convoy, which consists of 3 vehicles carrying 8 employees, was subjected to return fire, despite having obtained all necessary approvals from the Israeli authorities.”
The programme explained that “at least 16 bullets hit the vehicles, and fortunately none of the employees were injured in this horrific incident.”
It explained that “this unacceptable incident is only the latest example of the complex and dangerous operating environment in which the World Food Programme and other agencies operate today.”
He stressed that "security conditions in Gaza must be improved urgently, so that life-saving humanitarian aid can continue." The World Food Programme also urged "all parties to respect international humanitarian law, protect civilian lives, and allow safe passage of humanitarian aid.
For her part, the Executive Director of the World Food Programme, Cindy McCain, commented on the incident in a post on the "X" platform, saying: "It is completely unacceptable."
She added: "A clearly marked WFP convoy with a crew of 8 people was fired upon by Israeli forces despite obtaining prior permits."
McCain stressed that "humanitarian workers are not a target."
She added: "We must have safe access to continue providing life-saving aid."
For his part, the Commissioner of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini, re-shared McCain's post on his "X" account.
Lazzarini added: "In Gaza, there is no discrimination (..) Humanitarian workers, whoever they are, are regularly targeted."
K.T
