The incident occurred as the polio vaccination campaign commenced in northern Gaza. Dujarric described Monday’s events as a stark example of “the unacceptable dangers and obstacles humanitarian workers face in Gaza.” He added that Israeli forces “encircled the U.N. convoy and opened fire.” The situation intensified when Israeli tanks and bulldozers approached, ramming the U.N. vehicles from both directions, trapping the staff inside. A bulldozer dropped debris on the lead vehicle, while soldiers threatened the staff, preventing their safe exit.
In response to the U.N. account, the Israeli military stated that the convoy was halted due to intelligence reports of “Palestinian suspects” aboard whom they intended to question. They clarified that the convoy was for a U.N. personnel rotation, not transporting polio vaccines, and after questioning the suspects, they were released, and the convoy returned to southern Gaza.
Dujarric confirmed that the questioning of the two staff members took place in view of the convoy and U.N. personnel. After being held for seven-and-a-half hours at the checkpoint, the convoy returned to its base. He condemned the incident, asserting that “the conduct of Israeli forces endangered the lives of U.N. staff.”
This incident occurred two weeks after the U.N. World Food Programme (WFP) temporarily suspended employee movement in Gaza, following an event in which 10 bullets struck a clearly marked WFP vehicle near an Israeli military checkpoint. Israel’s initial review indicated a “communication error” between military units led to the shooting, the deputy U.S. envoy to the U.N. told the Security Council.
WFP resumed operations after receiving assurances from Israel regarding an investigation and a review of military coordination with the U.N. and aid groups. However, WFP’s regional director, Corinne Fleischer, noted that the promised investigation report on the shooting incident had not yet been received.
