The entry of aid trucks into the northern Gaza Strip, March 12, 2024/IDF spokesperson
The Coordinator of Government Operations in the Territories, Major General Rasan Aliyan, approved last night (Tuesday) in accordance with the directive of the political echelon, to bring six aid trucks into the northern Gaza Strip, through "Crossing 96" as part of an experimental mission in order to prevent Hamas from taking over the aid.
According to the announcement published yesterday, it emerged that the trucks underwent a strict security check by Israeli security officials at the Kerem Shalom crossing, and contain aid from the World Food Organization "WFP".
The findings of the pilot will be presented to the political parties.
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It was learned that the convoy included seven trucks at the beginning of the trip, one of which got stuck on the road and was not rescued.
The convoy was led by Egyptian and Palestinian drivers, and was secured by IDF soldiers. Following the transfer of the trucks, an initial investigation was held, during which there was sharp criticism from the field about the pilot
. While the IDF wants to reduce their presence in the area in order to obtain freedom of action that will prevent Hamas from rehabilitating terror infrastructures that have not yet been damaged, such as locating rocket launchers that have not been destroyed.
The entry of aid trucks into the northern Gaza Strip, March 12, 2024/Official website, Ministry of Defense
In addition to this, the officers claimed that securing the axis from Kerem Shalom to the north of the Gaza Strip would expose the IDF soldiers to a target since if Hamas identifies the permanent axis for the transfer of aid that is not under its protection, the convoys will be attacked. The officers added that during the convoy's journey, food sacks fell on the road which forced the soldiers after a few hours to evacuate and "win" the axis from suspicious objects. The officers estimated that the convoys driving on the road would make it a target like the placement of explosive charges and would put the IDF soldiers at high risk.
On the other hand, other officers claimed that the pilot took place under American pressure to increase humanitarian aid to Gaza, and that the decision to transfer it behind Hamas's back was intended to serve the operational interests of the IDF as long as it was in the Gaza Strip.
We also learned that the security establishment is considering accepting humanitarian aid. at the port of Ashdod and pass it for inspection through Kerem Shalom in a way that goes against the government's initial decision after October 7 to disengage from the Gaza Strip.
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Gaza war
Humanitarian aid