Israeli Forces Fire on UN Food Convoy in Gaza: UNRWA Reports

News Desk 

New York: A United Nations convoy was shot at by Israeli forces at a checkpoint while en route to Gaza City, according to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).

UNRWA’s Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini reported that the convoy, which was heading to Gaza City, came under heavy gunfire from Israeli forces on Sunday. While there were no casualties, the convoy’s teams had to take cover.

 One armored vehicle was hit by at least five bullets while waiting at the Israeli forces’ checkpoint south of Wadi Gaza, which separates the northern and southern parts of the enclave. The vehicle was severely damaged and had to leave the convoy, which then reassembled and eventually reached Gaza City.

 The mission had been coordinated and approved by Israeli authorities, as are all similar UN movements.

This incident comes amid ongoing Israeli airstrikes and heavy artillery fire targeting villages east of Gaza’s Khan Younis. New evacuation orders have been issued by the Israeli military to people in areas previously designated as safe, where around 400,000 individuals are currently sheltering.

According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), approximately 90% of Gaza’s population has been displaced at least once since last October. Many are living in dire conditions, with a surge in infectious diseases.

 The World Health Organization (WHO) reported nearly one million cases of acute respiratory infections from October 7 to July 7, alongside 575,000 cases of acute watery diarrhea and over 100,000 cases of jaundice.

In the occupied West Bank, UNICEF reported that the number of Palestinian children killed has more than tripled since October 7, compared to the first nine months of 2023. Since the conflict began, 143 Palestinian children have been killed, compared to 41 in the previous period. 

Two Israeli children were also killed in conflict-related violence during this time. Additionally, more than 440 Palestinian children have been injured by live ammunition.

UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell condemned the violence, highlighting the severe impact on children’s physical and mental well-being. Many children in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, live in constant fear, with reports of children being detained or shot while walking to school. 

The violence has escalated, particularly in Jenin, Tulkarm, and Nablus, where large-scale and militarized operations have increased over the past two years.

UNICEF has called for an immediate end to all violations against children and for adherence to international laws to protect them. The organization emphasizes that children should never be the targets of violence and advocates for a lasting political solution to ensure their safety and well-being.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the recent Israeli forces’ attack on Khan Younis in Gaza, calling it an inhumane act. The attack occurred shortly after Israeli forces had instructed unarmed Palestinian refugees to evacuate.

In his statement, Prime Minister Sharif described the attack as a blatant mockery of humanity and accused Israeli forces of pursuing a genocidal agenda against Palestinians. He reiterated Pakistan’s solidarity with the Palestinian people and urged the United Nations to take decisive action on the Palestine issue.