The convoy of several UN agencies, including the Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA), “was stopped by Israeli forces” at the al-Rashid checkpoint, although it had all the necessary authorizations, Stéphane Dujarric assured. The team of 12 UN staff “was informed that Israeli forces wanted to interrogate two members of the convoy,” he said. “The situation quickly escalated, with soldiers pointing their weapons directly at our personnel in the convoy, UN vehicles being surrounded by Israeli forces and shots being fired.”
Over seven hours of downtime
Israeli tanks and a bulldozer then approached, “hitting the UN vehicles in front and behind, compacting the convoy,” Stéphane Dujarric added, noting that the staff could not get out of the vehicles safely. “The convoy was held at gunpoint while senior UN officials contacted Israeli authorities to attempt a de-escalation” and “after seven and a half hours at the checkpoint, the convoy returned to its base unable to carry out its humanitarian mission “. he further denounced. “It could have turned into a tragedy,” he insisted.
“The conduct of Israeli forces on the ground puts the lives of our personnel at risk,” the spokesman said, lamenting an event that is “the latest example of unacceptable dangers and obstacles” to humanitarian operations in Palestinian territory.