UN food agency halts operations in Gaza after vehicle shot by Israeli forces

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has announced a suspension of its operations in Gaza “until further notice” following a serious security incident in which one of its vehicles was struck by gunfire at an Israeli military checkpoint.

The incident occurred on Tuesday as the WFP vehicle, clearly marked with UN branding, approached the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) checkpoint at the Wadi Gaza Bridge after completing a mission in southern Gaza.

Cindy McCain, head of the WFP, condemned the attack, stating: “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. As last night’s events show, the current deconfliction system is failing and this cannot go on any longer.”

The vehicle, which was hit at least 10 times, had secured the necessary clearances prior to approaching the checkpoint. Despite the severity of the attack, no injuries were reported among the WFP staff. The agency released an image showing the extensive damage to the vehicle’s windows caused by the gunfire, noting that the attack occurred just a few meters from the Israeli checkpoint.

UN Secretary-General spokesperson Stephane Dujarric also condemned the incident, emphasizing that the WFP vehicle was part of a convoy that had been fully coordinated with the IDF.

“A clearly marked UN humanitarian vehicle, part of a convoy that had been fully coordinated with the IDF, was struck 10 times by IDF gunfire, including with bullets targeting front windows,” Dujarric said.

He added that it remains unclear if the convoy’s movement information, which was shared with Israeli authorities, was communicated effectively to the ground forces.

The Israeli military has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the incident.

This incident is the latest in a series of security challenges faced by UN agencies operating in Gaza amid the ongoing conflict, which began on 7 October 2023, when Hamas launched an attack on Israeli communities, resulting in the deaths of 1,169 people and the abduction of 250 hostages, according to Israeli sources.

In retaliation, the Israeli military has conducted extensive operations across Gaza, leading to widespread destruction, the displacement of nearly all of the territory’s 2.3 million residents, and the deaths of 40,534 people and 93,778 injured, according to Palestinian health authorities.

The incident comes at a critical time as the UN prepares to launch a vaccination campaign for an estimated 640,000 children in Gaza, following reports from the World Health Organization that a 10-month-old baby had been paralyzed by the type 2 poliovirus—the first case of its kind in Gaza in 25 years.

The WFP’s decision to suspend its operations adds to the growing concerns about the safety and effectiveness of humanitarian efforts in the region, which have been hindered by ongoing violence and what the UN describes as “total lawlessness” in Gaza.