The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) announced on Wednesday the temporary suspension of its operations in the Gaza Strip after one of its vehicles was targeted by gunfire near a Zionist-controlled checkpoint.
In a statement, the WFP indicated that it has decided to pause the movement of its staff in Gaza until further notice. This decision follows an incident on Tuesday night when a team affiliated with the programme was shot at just meters away from a Zionist checkpoint in the Gaza Valley, located in the central region of the territory.
According to the statement, the team was returning from a mission at the Karem Abu Salem crossing in two WFP vehicles after escorting a convoy of trucks carrying humanitarian supplies destined for the central area of Gaza.
The WFP reported that, despite having clear markings on the vehicle and holding multiple permits from the Zionist authorities to approach the checkpoint, the vehicle was struck by gunfire while proceeding towards a checkpoint manned by Zionist forces.
The vehicle sustained at least ten bullet impacts—five on the driver’s side, two on the passenger side, and three in other areas—though fortunately, no staff members were physically harmed.
While acknowledging this is not the first security incident during the ongoing conflict, the statement emphasized that it marks the first instance of gunfire directed at a WFP vehicle near a checkpoint, despite compliance with standard protocol regarding permits.
This incident starkly highlights the rapidly diminishing humanitarian space in Gaza, where rising violence hampers the ability to provide life-saving assistance, exacerbating an already critical situation characterized by access restrictions and increased risks, ultimately leading to a reduction in food supplies reaching those most in need.
Cindy McCain, the WFP’s Executive Director, stated, “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.”
She urged Zionist authorities to ensure the safety and security of all aid workers in Gaza. Furthermore, she called upon all parties to respect international humanitarian law, guarantee the protection of humanitarian personnel, and uphold their commitment to facilitate the delivery of vital, life-saving aid.
The World Food Programme is the largest humanitarian organization globally, dedicated to saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance as a pathway towards peace, stability, and prosperity for people recovering from conflicts, disasters, and the impacts of climate change.
