By Merve Aydogan
HAMILTON, Canada (AA) - The UN on Tuesday denounced Israeli forces detaining a convoy of its staff and vehicles in the northern Gaza Strip, who were released after being held for hours.
"After seven-and-a-half hours at the checkpoint, the convoy returned to base after being unable to complete its humanitarian mission. This incident – and the conduct of Israeli forces on the ground – put the lives of our staff in danger," spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said at a news conference.
Saying that Israeli authorities were notified in advance about the movement of the convoy, Dujarric noted that full coordination was established.
He stated the convoy was stopped at the Al-Rashid checkpoint, where two staffers were forced out from the vehicle for questioning.
Dujarric said tensions quickly escalated when Israeli forces pointed weapons at the personnel in the convoy.
"The UN vehicles were encircled by Israeli forces and shots were fired. The convoy was then approached by IDF tanks and a bulldozer, which proceeded to ram the UN vehicles from the front and from the back, compacting the convoy with the UN staff inside. One bulldozer dropped debris on the first vehicle, while Israeli soldiers threatened staff, making it impossible for them to safely exit the vehicles," said Dujarric.
He added that senior UN officials tried to de-escalate the situation as the convoy remained at gunpoint.
Emphasizing that the incident placed the lives of aid workers in danger, Dujarric urged Israeli authorities to "take measures to protect humanitarian staff and assets and to facilitate their work. This is what international humanitarian law requires."
He also stated that the UN protested the incident and highlighted that it followed the necessary procedures.
Amid ongoing attacks on Gaza, Israeli forces frequently target aid organizations, including the UN and relevant groups.
The UN Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) announced last month that 212 UN staff members had been killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza since Oct. 7.