World Food Programme suspends Gaza operations

The UN’s World Food Programme (WFP) said it is suspending its operations in the Gaza Strip, following an incident in which Israel's military attacked a convoy of UN aid trucks.

"Despite being clearly marked and receiving multiple clearances by Israeli authorities to approach, the vehicle was directly struck by gunfire as it was moving towards an Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) checkpoint. It sustained at least ten bullets: five on the driver’s side, two on the passenger side and three on other parts of the vehicle," the group said in a statement.

No WFP workers were injured in the incident.

Israeli forces have on multiple occasions attacked humanitarian workers operating in Gaza since the war began, including the killing of workers with the international charity World Central Kitchen.

This is totally unacceptable and must change immediately. We have repeatedly asked for a functioning deconfliction system in Gaza, and yet the current arrangements have failed. Humanitarians are #NotATarget. https://t.co/FUWBV8dNk6

— Cindy McCain (@WFPChief) August 28, 2024