Israeli forces detained a United Nations convoy in Gaza for hours, ramming its vehicles and firing shots, according to a UN spokesperson.
The convoy, transporting personnel involved in a polio vaccination campaign, was stopped by Israeli soldiers at the Wadi Gaza checkpoint on Monday.
The soldiers demanded to question two Palestinian staff members onboard, escalating the situation by aiming weapons at the UN personnel and ramming the vehicles with tanks and bulldozers.
UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric confirmed that debris was dropped on one of the vehicles and that shots were fired during the incident.
The convoy was eventually released after over seven hours of detention, with the staff safely returning to a UN base. Despite the ordeal, the vaccination campaign resumed in northern Gaza the following day.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) defended the stop, citing intelligence indicating the presence of Palestinian suspects in the convoy.
However, the UN continues to assert that the convoy was part of a polio vaccination effort and called the incident an “unacceptable danger” to humanitarian personnel in Gaza.
This confrontation follows a series of reported incidents between Israeli forces and UN personnel, including shootings and detentions at checkpoints.
The Aid Worker Security Database reports that 2024 could surpass last year’s fatalities, with 172 aid workers already
Israel’s military also conducted an airstrike on the UN-operated al-Jaouni school in central Gaza, resulting in the deaths of at least 18 people.
Six of the victims were staff members of the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), including the shelter’s manager.
This incident marks the highest death toll for UNRWA staff in a single attack during the ongoing 11-month war.
Guterres Condemns Lack of Accountability for UN Staff Deaths in Gaza
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has strongly condemned the killing of UN staff and humanitarian workers in the ongoing Israeli assault on Gaza, calling the lack of accountability for these deaths “completely unacceptable.”
Speaking on Wednesday, Guterres highlighted the severe violations of international humanitarian law and the absence of effective civilian protection in Gaza.
Guterres stressed the need for thorough investigations into the deaths of nearly 300 humanitarian workers, including over two-thirds who were UN staff, and criticized Israel for disregarding recent UN Security Council resolutions and International Court of Justice rulings.
In related news, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres voiced strong support for ongoing mediation efforts led by the US, Egypt, and Qatar.
UN has also demanded accountability and expressed concern over the safety of its humanitarian workers in the region.
