Israeli Attack on Aid Convoy in Gaza Leaves Five Transport Workers Dead
Israel Launches Missile Attack on Convoy Bringing Aid to UAE Hospital in Gaza
A tragic incident occurred on Thursday in the Gaza Strip as Israel launched a missile attack on a convoy carrying medical supplies and fuel to a United Arab Emirates (UAE) hospital, resulting in the deaths of several members of the local transportation company. The American Near East Refugee Relief Agency (Anera) reported the devastating news on Friday.
Israel claimed that gunmen opened fire on the convoy without providing any evidence to support their claims. The convoy was travelling along Salah al-Din Road in the Gaza Strip when the first vehicle was hit, resulting in the deaths of several individuals working for the transport company that Anera used to bring supplies to the Emirates Red Crescent Hospital in Rafah.
Sandra Rasheed, Anera’s Palestine director, stated that an Anera employee was present in the convoy, which had been coordinated and approved by Israeli authorities, and fortunately managed to escape unharmed. The United States criticized Israel’s attacks on United Nations (UN) vehicles and urged for an end to the threats and violence against humanitarian organizations.
In response to the escalating situation, Israel and Hamas agreed to a three-day ceasefire in the Gaza Strip to facilitate polio vaccination efforts. The World Health Organization (WHO) expressed concerns after a baby in Gaza was paralyzed by the type 2 poliovirus for the first time in 25 years. The vaccination campaign will focus on children to prevent a potential outbreak.
The WHO emphasized the need for at least 90% coverage in each round of the vaccination campaign to effectively combat the spread of polio. UN personnel and local health workers will collaborate to administer the vaccines in Gaza, with the support of Israel’s humanitarian aid unit.
As tensions continue to rise, the Israeli army reported targeting a “terrorist cell” in the city of Jenin and claiming the elimination of a local commander from the Iran-backed Islamic Jihad movement in Tulkarem. The conflict in the West Bank has resulted in numerous casualties, with Israeli forces conducting large-scale counter-terrorism operations.
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz defended the military actions as necessary to dismantle terrorist infrastructures in the region. However, Palestinians view these attacks as an extension of the conflict in Gaza and an attempt by Israel to maintain its military dominance in the area.
The situation remains tense as efforts continue to provide humanitarian aid and vaccination support to those in need in the Gaza Strip.
