PCHR exposes Israeli occupation involving theft of humanitarian aid trucks in Gaza
GAZA, May 24 (YPA) – The Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) strongly condemned the attack launched by the Israeli occupation forces against security personnel and civilians who were securing the passage of humanitarian aid trucks on Salah al-Din Road, between the al-Ramzun and al-Mazra’a School areas, south of Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip.
This attack resulted in deaths and injuries, while the occupation forces ignored the attack by a group of armed robbers.
The center explained in a statement issued Saturday that the incident occurred last Thursday, when an armed group, estimated to number around 15 individuals, ambushed relief trucks at the southern entrance to Deir al-Balah. The group used dumpsters to block the road before opening fire, aiming to steal the trucks carrying aid.
The statement indicated that the security personnel and protection committees’ attempt to intervene was surprised by a violent attack by Israeli helicopters and drones, which launched missile strikes directly at them, killing or wounding them immediately.
The center added that the escalation did not stop there, as Israeli quadcopters fired on anyone who tried to approach the wounded to provide them with medical aid, in an attack it described as a complex crime aimed at systematic killing and obstructing the provision of humanitarian assistance. About a quarter of an hour later, the aircraft launched further airstrikes targeting civilians who had gathered at the scene to attempt to evacuate the wounded.
The center stated that the bodies of five martyrs were recovered and six injured were transferred to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah, stressing that this heinous crime reveals beyond a shadow of a doubt that the Israeli occupation forces are not content with starvation and siege, but are also pursuing those attempting to secure humanitarian aid and insisting on protecting criminals and thieves.
The human rights center called on the international community to take immediate action to halt the genocide against Palestinians, ensure respect for humanitarian law, allow unconditional access to aid into the Gaza Strip, permanently lift the blockade, provide protection for humanitarian personnel, and enable international organizations, particularly the United Nations, to oversee aid distribution and ensure its neutrality.
YPA