Protests and blockades by right-wing Israeli extremists against aid trucks heading to Gaza continue in Israel. The latest incident, one of the most damaging, took place on Monday after a surge in these attacks that has been recorded in recent weeks.
Four protesters, including a minor, were arrested at the protest, which took place shortly after the Tarqumiya checkpoint, near the Israeli village of Shekef, west of Hebron, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, according to a statement from the lawyers representing the protesters.
The videos that circulated on social networks showed the protesters, most of them young people or teenagers, throwing the aid on the ground, kicking the boxes, scattering their contents on the road, breaking bags of flour, sugar and rice… In the images no No member of the security forces is seen acting.
“The aid transferred by the State of Israel goes directly into the hands of Hamas,” states a statement from Tzav 9, a right-wing organization organizing the protests. He opposes sending aid to Gaza while hostages are still held there. The group claims that as long as Israel “gives gifts to Hamas and the possibility of full control over the Gaza Strip through ownership of aid distribution,” the Islamist group would have no interest in a deal that would bring houses the more than 100 hostages it has. has captive
“In light of the incidents of public order that occurred today, law enforcement has launched an investigation that culminated in the arrest of multiple suspects,” Israeli police said in a statement, in which they assured that the “investigation continues.” in progress”.
Israel has committed to allowing the uninterrupted entry of humanitarian supplies, especially since the Israeli army’s attack on the World Central Kitchen NGO on April 1. Israel has faced strong international pressure to increase the flow of aid to Gaza, where international organizations have warned of a serious humanitarian crisis threatening a population of more than 2 million people.
On Sunday, Israeli authorities announced the opening of a new crossing into northern Gaza and a temporary port, built by the United States, is about to open.
In recent days, attacks by Israeli extremists on aid trucks heading to Gaza, mainly from Jordan, have increased. The blockades, most of which have included the dumping of cargo on the ground and the destruction of food; They have occurred at various points along the route taken by convoys from that country, such as Mitzpe Ramon, in the Negev desert; the Allenby Pass between Jordan and Israel, or large highway intersections near Jerusalem. Last week, four people were arrested in southern Israel after a similar protest involving about 200 people.
