Amman: Jordan announced on Wednesday that a humanitarian aid convoy en route to the Gaza Strip was attacked by illegal Israeli settlers, marking the second such incident within a week. The convoy, consisting of 30 aid trucks, was targeted while making its way to the blockaded region.
According to Anadolu Agency, government spokesperson Mohammad al-Momani reported that illegal settlers obstructed the convoy's path and pelted the trucks with stones, causing material damage to at least four vehicles and shattering their front windshields. The attack temporarily halted the convoy's movement as it was heading towards Gaza via the Zikim crossing after entering from Jordan.
Al-Momani criticized Israel for its perceived leniency towards settlers who endanger aid workers and drivers, urging the Israeli authorities to take decisive action against those violating international law and agreements. He also noted a similar attack took place on Sunday, which forced two aid trucks to return to Jordan.
The spokesperson further highlighted ongoing challenges faced by the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization, which oversees Gaza relief efforts. These challenges include prolonged inspections, new customs fees, limited crossing hours, and an electronic permit system that delays shipments, extending the journey of aid convoys from an estimated two hours to as long as 36 hours. He emphasized that recent joint airdrops with Arab and Western countries are insufficient substitutes for land-based aid deliveries.
No immediate response was available from Israeli officials regarding the incident.
On the same day, Gaza's Government Media Office reported that only 853 aid trucks had entered the strip over the past 10 days, a figure significantly lower than the approximately 6,000 trucks required to address the basic humanitarian needs of Gaza's 2.4 million residents. The UN World Food Program (WFP) has warned that a third of Gaza's population has experienced consecutive days without food due to the ongoing Israeli siege.
The WFP estimates that one in four Palestinians in Gaza faces famine-like conditions, with 100,000 women and children suffering from acute malnutrition. Israel faces increasing international criticism over its military actions in Gaza, which have resulted in over 61,000 fatalities since October 2023, leaving the region on the brink of famine.
In related developments, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants last November for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Israel is also confronted with a genocide case at the International Court of Justice concerning its military activities in the enclave.