AFP
UNITED NATIONS: A UN convoy carrying workers for a polio vaccination campaign in Gaza was held at gunpoint at an Israeli military checkpoint, a UN spokesman said on Tuesday, adding that shots were fired and its vehicles were rammed by a bulldozer.
Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, called the incident, which occurred on Monday, "the latest example of the unacceptable dangers and impediment that humanitarian personnel in Gaza are experiencing" by Israeli forces.
He said the convoy was carrying 12 staff members on their way to support the polio campaign in the northern part of the Gaza Strip, where Israel has been waging war since an attack by Palestinian militants Hamas on October 7 last year.
The group's "movements were fully coordinated with Israeli forces, and all details provided ahead of time," Dujarric said.
But when the team reached a checkpoint, Israeli forces said they wanted to hold two UN staff members for questioning, he continued.
"The situation escalated very quickly, with soldiers pointing their weapons directly towards our personnel in the convoy, the UN vehicles were encircled by Israeli forces, and shots were fired," Dujarric said.
"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.
"One bulldozer dropped debris on the first vehicle, while Israeli soldiers threatened staff, making it impossible for them to safely exit the vehicles."
He said the convoy remained at gunpoint as senior UN officials tried to de-escalate the situation with Israeli authorities.
Two UN staff were interrogated by Israeli forces – but after seven and a half hours at the checkpoint all personnel were released, Dujarric said.
The "incident and the conduct of Israeli forces on the ground put the lives of our staff in danger," he said.
"It is critical that Israeli forces take measures to protect humanitarian staff and assets to facilitate their work."
Disease has spread with Gaza lying in ruins and the majority of its 2.4 million residents forced to flee their homes due to Israel's military assault – often taking refuge in cramped and unsanitary conditions.
After the first confirmed polio case in 25 years, a massive vaccination effort began last week targeting over 640,000 children under 10, aided by localised "humanitarian pauses" in fighting.
The World Health Organisation said one of its support convoys had to abandon its effort to carry experts and supplies for the polio campaign after it also was stopped by Israeli forces, on Tuesday.
Humanitarian organizations have long complained that Israel is impeding access in Gaza.
Hamas's October 7 attack resulted in the deaths of 1,205 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures, which includes hostages killed in captivity.
Militants seized 251 captives during the attack, 97 of whom are still held in Gaza, including 33 the Israeli military says are dead.
Israel's retaliatory offensive in Gaza has killed at least 41,020 people, according to the territory's health ministry. The UN rights office says most of the dead are women and children. AFP