The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jordan issued a condemnation over an attack by Israeli settlers on two Jordanian convoys carrying humanitarian aid, slated for the Gaza Strip. The attack sparked calls from Jordan for the international community to follow suit in condemning the move.
This development comes amidst rising concerns that the Israeli government failed to provide the necessary protection for the aid convoys, a failure that the Ministry views as an egregious infringement of Israel’s legal obligations as an occupying power and in defiance of its responsibilities to allow aid into Gaza.
The convoys, which were en route to Gaza via the Kerem Shalom and Erez crossings, had been assembled by a Jordanian humanitarian organisation in collaboration with the World Food Programme and Human Appeal. Interestingly, it is reported that the Erez crossing was opened on the day of the attack in response to international pressure, spearheaded by the US, to ensure Palestinian access to humanitarian aid.
According to the legal aid organisation Honenu, the act was carried out by four men who managed to block the aid trucks travelling through the West Bank before being arrested by Israeli police. Despite this, the aid still managed to make its way to Gaza.
Condemnations aside, the Jordanian ministry called for the international community to convince Israel to abide by its international obligations, protect aid convoys, and back the organisations that distribute this critical aid.
The International Court of Justice has, on two occasions, directed the Israeli government to permit the delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza to stave off a potential genocide of Palestinians, following a case filed by South Africa in January of this year.
Getting aid into Gaza has been a significant concern for international groups and has been a point of contention with Israel. Martin Griffiths, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, appealed to Israel, urgently asking them to reverse their decision to block UN Relief and Works Agency food convoys, a move he states “only pushes thousands closer to famine”. In March, Israel had to deploy extra border security to deter protesters attempting to block aid into Gaza.
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