Palestinian truckers fearful after Gaza aid convoy wrecked
STORY: These trucks were carrying humanitarian supplies bound for Gaza, now strewn across the road in the occupied West Bank as the enclave faces a severe hunger crisis.
Palestinian hauliers said on Tuesday (May 14) they feared for the security of aid convoys to Gaza, a day after Israeli protesters wrecked the trucks.
Videos circulated on social media on Monday showed protesters throwing supplies from the trucks at the Tarqumiya checkpoint.
The Head of the Hebron Food Trade Association said Israeli soldiers stood by as the attack took place.
Adel Amer is from the West Bank-Based hauliers union.
"We went to the checkpoint, and after the checks we were surprised to see settlers on the roundabout of the checkpoint. They damaged the cars, they tore the tires off the trucks, they threw the contents of the truck on the ground, we gathered some of the products, and sent some of those products on to a bulldozer and sent them to sheep farms. Around 15 trucks were damaged, their haul was damaged, windows of trucks were broken, some drivers were beaten, some of the products were thrown away, and the whole loss for Hebron is around $2 million."
Amer said some drivers are now refusing to take good to Gaza because they are afraid.
A group calling itself Order 9 has claimed Monday's attack and says it acted to stop supplies reaching Hamas, accusing the Israeli government of giving "gifts" to the Islamist group.
Palestinians and human rights groups have accused the Israeli military and police of deliberately failing to intervene when settlers attack Palestinians in the West Bank.
The violent protest drew condemnation from the U.S., which has urged Israel to step up deliveries of aid into Gaza.
Britain's foreign minister also condemned the (quote) "appalling" incident, saying Israel must call the attackers to account.
No comment was available from the Israeli military.
The Israeli police said a number of people were arrested and the incident was being investigated.
