President Michael D Higgins has condemned attacks on aid convoys providing humanitarian relief to Gaza.
In a forthright statement, President Higgins referenced the killing of a UN staff member in Rafah and the destruction of food aid by a “mob” at the Tarqumiya checkpoint.
Humanitarian aid trucks were vandalised at Tarqumiya Checkpoint in the West Bank by right-wing groups of Israeli protesters as they blocked their entry into the Gaza Strip.
— Sky News (@SkyNews) May 14, 2024
Latest: https://t.co/crNi2LqgAn pic.twitter.com/5OuI30l9uK
President Higgins said: “All those who support human rights, humanitarian relief, the United Nations and its Charter must be appalled at the attacks which are being witnessed on aid convoys providing vital humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza.
“Two incidents on Monday alone demonstrated the appalling circumstances which aid workers are facing. In Rafah, a vehicle clearly marked with the United Nations emblem came under fire, killing a UN staff member and injuring others.
Devastated to learn of the death and injury of @UN team members in Gaza yesterday. @WFP stands united with the global humanitarian community in mourning our 190+ colleagues killed in Gaza. Aid workers are not – and should never be – a target. #NotATarget
— Cindy McCain (@WFPChief) May 14, 2024
“On the same day at the Tarqumiya checkpoint west of Hebron in the West Bank, a convoy was surrounded by a mob with food packages thrown on the road and bags of grain ripped open. These attacks are taking place at a time when people are suffering from starvation.
Israeli protesters block aid trucks destined for Gaza https://t.co/nfYrVkT8aU
— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) May 14, 2024
“These strikes led to at least 31 aid workers and those with them being killed or injured. In total, the United Nations has said that more than 250 aid workers have been killed in Gaza over the course of the conflict.
“On a matter like this there can be no equivocation, it must be condemned by all those who believe in humanitarian principles. Silence on this matter would reflect badly on any member of the European Union.”
The latest attack on food aid trucks took place on Monday at the Tarqumiya checkpoint west of Hebron in the West Bank.
Israeli protesters blocked food aid trucks coming from Jordan to Gaza, which has now entered “full-blown famine” according to the executive director of the United Nations World Food Programme.
Wars have rules that must be respected by all sides.
— United Nations (@UN) May 13, 2024
Civilians and humanitarian workers must be protected.
At all times and in all places.
They are #NotATarget. pic.twitter.com/yFT3jDJjyp
Cindy McCain said famine was now moving south in Gaza.
She added: “Severe Israeli restrictions on humanitarian deliveries to the territory that has long relied on outside food assistance have pushed civilians in the most isolated, devastated part of Gaza over the brink.”
The White House condemned the Tarqumiya checkpoint food aid attack as “a total outrage”.
Khaled and Siham's family receives nutritious ready-to-eat date bars in #Gaza.
— World Food Programme (@WFP) May 15, 2024
Since their home was reduced to rubble, they have sheltered in the one room that remains standing.
Some days, Khaled and Siham go with nothing to eat to leave the little they have for their children. pic.twitter.com/KrNCovVQBU
The group allegedly behind the attack said it was demonstrating against the continued detention of Israeli hostages in Gaza.
Footage of the incident, widely shared on social media, showed protestors throwing boxes from lorries to the ground, then trampling on them.
One protester told AFP news agency she was at the checkpoint on Monday because she heard aid trucks were on “their way to the hands of the Hamas, who are trying to kill other soldiers and other Israeli citizens”.
Hana Giat said “no food should go into Gaza” until “Israeli hostages are returned “healthy and alive”.