Israel Strikes Gaza Hospital Convoy, Claims Targeted Gunmen Seizing Vehicle

An Israeli missile struck a convoy carrying medical supplies and fuel destined for an Emirati hospital in the Gaza Strip, resulting in the deaths of several employees from a local transportation company, according to the American Near East Refugee Aid (Anera) group on Friday. Israel asserted, without immediate evidence, that it targeted the convoy after militants had commandeered the vehicles.

Sandra Rasheed, Anera’s director for the Palestinian territories, reported that the attack claimed the lives of workers from a transportation company hired to deliver supplies to the Emirates Red Crescent Hospital in Rafah. The strike occurred on Thursday along the Salah al-Din Road in Gaza, hitting the lead vehicle in the convoy.

Rasheed stated, “The convoy, organized by Anera and cleared by Israeli authorities, included an Anera employee who fortunately survived.” She added, “Despite this tragic event, the remaining vehicles in the convoy managed to proceed and successfully deliver the aid to the hospital. We are urgently seeking more information about the incident.”

Anera planned to provide further details later on Friday.

The Israeli military did not immediately respond to requests for comment from The Associated Press. However, Israeli military spokesperson Lt. Col. Avichay Adraee posted on social platform X, stating that “gunmen seized a car at the front of the convoy (a jeep) and began driving.”

“After confirming the potential to target the militants’ vehicle alone, the strike was carried out, with the rest of the convoy unharmed and reaching its destination as planned,” Adraee wrote. He also emphasized that “the presence of armed men within a humanitarian convoy without coordination complicates the security of these convoys and their personnel, undermining the humanitarian effort.”

The United Arab Emirates, which established diplomatic relations with Israel in 2020 and has been providing aid to Gaza since the onset of the Israel-Hamas conflict, did not immediately comment on the attack.

This is not the first instance of Israeli forces targeting aid convoys in the Gaza Strip. The World Food Program announced on Wednesday that it would halt all staff movement in Gaza after Israeli forces fired on one of its marked vehicles, striking it with at least 10 rounds, despite multiple clearances from Israeli authorities.

Additionally, on July 23, UNICEF reported that two of its vehicles were hit by live ammunition while stationed at a designated holding point. In April, an Israeli attack hit three World Central Kitchen vehicles, resulting in the deaths of seven people.