The police forces who blocked the road in front of them on the way did not help, nor did the soldiers who chased them in the agricultural fields:
hundreds of protesters arrived today (Sunday) at the Kerem Shalom crossing, in the south of the OTP, and made it clear that any truck with humanitarian aid that tries to cross the fence into the Gaza Strip will be blocked with their bodies and will have to spit diesel .
And if the message is not received - they will return there tomorrow as well.
Documentation: Kerem Shalom crossing is blocked for truck traffic // Order 9
"When the prime minister said that the protest strengthens Hamas, it was demagoguery," said Bat-Zion Or, the aunt of the abductee Avinatan Or, whose three children are now serving on the front.
"My children say, 'We see that the more we weaken them in fighting, the more likely they are to release the abductees.' We want Hamas to feel persecuted and not as a strong fighter. Without food, they are the ones who will beg for a deal."
After a few days in which the protesters arrived at the Kerem Shalom crossing almost undisturbed, today police vehicles were already waiting for them, about 6 km from the crossing, and blocked their way with a signed "closed military area" order. Negev, greeted them in a calm - but determined tone.
"I promise that none of you will get hurt," he told them, "but in the end you are breaking the law, because this is a military area. I am more with you than you think, but for that reason I also ask: 'Don't challenge us.' This is not from a bad place , but those who break the law will be punished."
with flags in front of the aisle.
"Our government is under pressure,"
"I couldn't sleep at night"
The words of the senior police officer did not deter the group, which was focused on a goal, no matter what the obstacles that were placed in front of it.
Sefi Ben-Haim, one of the leaders of the "Order 9" movement that leads the struggle, gathered those who came for a briefing before action.
"Until the last of the abductees is in our hands, not a grain of flour should cross the border. We know that as soon as the state decides to transfer aid - it will transfer, but it is our right to protest and change things from below, and I believe in that. The goal is that we all reach Kerem Shalom today, and I am already telling you That there is a much tougher preparation there than we have already met."
Police vehicles block the way for the protesters.
The senior officer promised: "No one will be hurt", photo: Liron Moldovan
Ben-Haim did not release the protesters before emphasizing: "We are not in the area of violence, and anyone who holds a weapon, a gun - hide it and do not make unnecessary provocations. So far we are in good relations with the police and the army, and we do not burn ties. They will warn us that we are crossing territory Military - OK, so we passed. An anti-tank missile in reserve has already passed over me, so an arrest certainly doesn't scare me."
Ben-Haim, a resident of Nativot, entered the struggle after returning from a long reserve service in the north and was amazed to read about convoys of trucks passing through Israeli territory in order to help the Gazans.
"I couldn't sleep at night when I realized this madness, that we are arming the enemy during a war when our hostages are underground and when the soldiers risk their lives to protect the country. The lives of our citizens come first. I say to Hamas: Did you want a war with us? Go for peace. We have seen that the greatest lever of pressure for liberation The hostages were the siege and the aggressive fighting. I am simply a person with common sense and a true love for my people."
The demonstrators cross the fields on the way to the Kerem Shalom crossing, photo: Liron Moldovan
Among the protesters: a baby girl in a carrier
People from all over the country came to the south to demonstrate.
From Karmiel in the north and the Jordan Valley, and even from the settlement of Ein Hashur near Kerem Shalom.
"They say that we are breaking the law," hissed angrily, Amit Sde from Ein Hashur, "I want to continue living here, but with a reality where we are told to feed the monster and bring other gangs to Gaza to control it, I cannot stay, because it will only be a matter of time before that happens October 7 was added. After all, literally everything that built Hamas passed by truck on this road."
Due to the police checkpoint, the arrival plans for the Kerem Shalom crossing had to be changed.
The residents of the area led us to a detour through the agricultural fields near the community settlement of Shlomit in the Shalom region.
They reassured and said that despite the rain that fell even modest cars would be able to manage the slightly muddy track.
Protesters block the Kerem Shalom crossing // Efrat Abrahami order 9
And so, a long convoy of vehicles made its way through the fields towards the border crossing, and just before landing a military jeep raced towards it and a major accompanied by his soldiers came out of it and announced that there was no way for them to continue, because this was military territory, if they hadn't already taken it in. Ben Chaim ordered the protesters to get off the vehicles and walk towards the crossing, making it clear that "even the humanitarian aid will not pass today." Among the marchers were small children, and even a two-month-old baby in a carrier.
"Our government is being pressured by the US, which is bringing us to our knees," said Shlomo Sherid, who came to the south from the Jordan Valley. "The people are simply raising the country now, so that it can stand on its feet again - and with pride."
The commanding general signed the order
At a quarter to 10 in the morning, several hundred protesters arrived at the crossing to disrupt the entry of the trucks into the Strip.
It didn't take long until the IDF spokesman announced that due to the blockade of the humanitarian axis, the commander of the Southern Command signed the expansion of the closed military area order in the transit area. Israel in favor of protecting the aid and supply convoys for Hamas."
Demonstrators block aid trucks for the Gaza Strip at the Kerem Shalom crossing, photo: Efrat Abrahami Order 9
Despite the instructions, the demonstrators have no doubt that they will return as long as Israelis are held captive in the Hamas tunnels and as long as trucks ask to deliver aid to the residents of Gaza.
Rain or driving on dirt roads will not deter - they are recruited for the task.
"Thousands of people from all over the country, from the right and the left, from the kibbutz and the city, are all partners in the struggle around which there is a consensus - until the last of the abductees returns," concluded David Olshebang, from "Tzo 9".
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