UN Concern Over Attack on Humanitarian Aid Convoy in Gaza and Theft from It

The United Nations expressed concern over the attack and shooting of 14 out of 20 trucks carrying humanitarian aid in central Gaza and the theft of food from these trucks. A UN spokesperson stated that this incident occurred while the aid convoy was traveling from the newly reopened 'Kissufim' border crossing to a warehouse in Deir al-Balah, adding that three truck drivers were injured in the shooting and only 6 shipments out of the 20 dispatched trucks managed to reach the warehouses. Stephane Dujarric refrained from blaming the Palestinian group Hamas or Israel for this act but urged Israeli officials to facilitate and protect the movement of aid workers and supplies throughout the Gaza Strip. He emphasized the need to reopen more land routes to Gaza, stating, 'We continue to call for increased access and security guarantees as well as more supplies so that we can quickly assist all people across Gaza.' The U.S. State Department announced on Thursday, November 8, that Israel had informed Washington that a new crossing at 'Kissufim' would be opened in the coming days after the reopening of the Arz or Beit Hanoun crossing. Biden administration officials had given Israel until November 13 to improve the situation for civilians in war-torn Gaza, or it would face a halt in some U.S. military aid. Israel has stated that aid for Gaza's civilians will be delivered through four main crossings of the strip and an additional crossing. Israeli officials have repeatedly accused Hamas militants, supported by the Islamic Republic, of attacking and stealing humanitarian aid meant for civilians.