US State Department urges Israel to act against aid truck blockade protesters

By Rabia Iclal Turan

WASHINGTON (AA) - The US State Department said on Monday that it expects Israel to take "appropriate action" against Israeli protesters who obstructed humanitarian aid trucks destined for the besieged Gaza Strip.

During a press briefing, Deputy spokesman Vedant Patel said, "It is our strong view that aid cannot and must not be interfered with."

"We are aware of these reports and we have raised this with officials in Israel," said Patel. "We have raised this incident with the Government of Israel and we expect them to take appropriate action," he added.

Video footage circulated on social media depicted protesters vandalizing several aid trucks near the Tarqumiya checkpoint near the West Bank city of Hebron, according to Israeli Army Radio. Protesters were seen climbing onto the trucks, removing aid, and throwing it onto the road.

Similar protests occurred over the past week, with demonstrators demanding the release of Israelis held captive by Hamas in exchange for allowing aid into Gaza.