Jordan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned an attack by Israeli settlers on two Jordanian convoys transporting humanitarian aid on their way to the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, calling on the international community to also condemn the attack. The ministry claimed the Israeli government failed to protect the aid convoys, citing this as a gross violation of its legal obligations as an occupying power and its obligations to allow aid into Gaza.

The trucks were heading to Gaza via the Kerem Shalom and Erez crossings and were organised by Jordanian humanitarian organisation in cooperation with the World Food Programme and Human Appeal. The Erez crossing was opened on Wednesday following US pressure to ensure humanitarian aid reaches Gaza. According to Honenu, a legal aid service for Israeli soldiers and civilians, four men blocked the aid trucks going to Gaza as they were passing through the West Bank and were subsequently arrested by Israeli police. Despite the attack, the convoys reached the strip. 

The ministry encouraged the international community to push Israel to abide by its international obligations and ensure the protections of aid convoys and the organisations which work on distributing them.

The International Court of Justice twice ordered Israel to provide for the entry of humanitarian assistance into Gaza in order to prevent a “plausible” genocide of Palestinians, following proceedings that were initiated by South Africa in January.

Getting aid into Gaza has been a major priority for international groups and a source of conflict with Israel. UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths urged Israel to revoke the decision to block UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees food convoys as it “only pushes thousands closer to famine”. In March, Israel had to send additional border security to prevent protestors from blocking aid into Gaza.