The World Food Programme temporarily suspended movement of its staff in Gaza after at least 10 bullets were fired at one of its clearly marked vehicles Tuesday as it approached an Israeli military checkpoint at the Wadi Gaza bridge. (Photo Credit: WFP) 

By Gary Raynaldo   – DIPLOMATIC   TIMES

The World Food Programme temporarily halted movement of its staff in Gaza after at least 10 bullets were fired at one of its “clearly marked” vehicles Tuesday near an Israeli military checkpoint, the WFP said. The team was returning from a mission to Kerem Shalom/ Karam Abu Salem with two WFP armoured vehicles after escorting a convoy of trucks carrying humanitarian cargo routed to Gaza’s central area. “Despite being clearly marked and receiving multiple clearances by Israeli authorities to approach, the vehicle was directly struck by gunfire as it was moving towards an Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) checkpoint,” according to the WFP.  The vehicle sustained five bullets on the driver’s side, two on the passenger side and three on other parts of the vehicle, the WFP said, adding that none of its staff on board were physically harmed.  The WFP noted that though this is not the first security incident to occur during the war, it is the first time one of its vehicles has been directly shot at near a checkpoint, despite securing necessary clearances per standard protocol.

“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,” said WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain. “I call on the Israeli authorities and all parties to the conflict to act immediately to ensure the safety and security of all aid workers in Gaza.” 

The WFP said the incident is “a stark reminder of the rapidly and ever shrinking humanitarian space in the Gaza Strip, where increasing violence compromises our ability to deliver life-saving assistance.”

The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization.