World Food Programme halts staff movement in Gaza after vehicle came under fire by Israeli forces

RAMALLAH - The World Food Programme (WFP) on Wednesday announced temporarily halting staff movement in Gaza after its vehicle came under fire by Israeli forces at a checkpoint.

The United Nations (UN) vehicle returning from a humanitarian mission was hit by at least 10 bullets at an Israeli checkpoint near the Wadi Gaza bridge despite being clearly marked and having received prior clearance from Israeli authorities, Palestine News and Info Agency (WAFA) reported.

"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," it reported WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain said in a statement.

She emphasised that the current deconfliction system is failing, and called on Israeli authorities and all parties involved to ensure the safety of aid workers.

The statement also emphasised that it 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."

While none of the staff members were injured, the WFP highlighted that this incident underscores the shrinking humanitarian space in the Gaza Strip, where increasing violence is severely impacting the delivery of life-saving aid.

Earlier, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters during a news conference that the incident "underscores that the systems in place for coordination are not working."

He also denounced the "direct rhetoric" from Israeli officials against the United Nations, The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), and Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, warning that "words have consequences." - BERNAMA