UN Humanitarian Workers Under Fire in Gaza, Unhurt
Shillong, August 29: Two UN humanitarian workers in an armoured vehicle narrowly escaped unscathed from a barrage of Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) gunfire in Gaza, as confirmed by a UN spokesman.
On Tuesday evening, a clearly marked UN humanitarian vehicle — part of a convoy fully coordinated with the IDF — was struck 10 times by IDF gunfire, targeting the front windows, according to Stephane Dujarric, chief spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
The World Food Programme (WFP) responded by halting its operations in Gaza until further notice, following the incident. The attack took place near an Israeli checkpoint at the Wadi Gaza bridge as the WFP team returned from a mission to Kerem Shalom/Karam Abu Salem. Despite multiple clearances from Israeli authorities, the vehicle sustained ten bullet impacts.
A photograph released by the WFP showed bullet impacts on the left driver and passenger-side bullet-proof windows of the vehicle, which was marked with "UN" in large black letters. Fortunately, the employees on board were physically unharmed.
"This is totally unacceptable and the latest in a series of unnecessary security incidents that have endangered the lives of WFP’s team in Gaza," stated WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain. She emphasized that the current deconfliction system is failing and urgently called on Israeli authorities and all conflict parties to ensure the safety of aid workers in Gaza.
The UN continues to work with the IDF to prevent such incidents. Dujarric reiterated the necessity of adhering to international humanitarian law, stressing that civilians’ essential needs — including food, water, shelter, and health — must be met. This applies to all civilians in Gaza, irrespective of evacuation orders.
(IANS)
Original Story https://theshillongtimes.com/2024/08/29/humanitarians-in-un-armoured-vehicle-escape-israeli-gunfire-in-gaza/
Category : INTERNATIONAL
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