Media, UNRWA Silent on Attacked Aid Convoy

“Urgent humanitarian access for the people of Gaza is the immediate priority,” declared Ban Ki-Moon, the Secretary General of the United Nations on Jan. 17, in a statement quoted by the Guardian and repeatedly by the Associated Press. Given the UN’s prioritizing of this critical issue, one would think that any attempt to block the population’s access to the much needed aid would be denounced by the international body and covered by the media. Think again.

The Jordan Press Agency yesterday reported that Jordanian aid destined for UNRWA warehouses was hijacked by armed men:

A number of armed men have seized on Tuesday a Jordanian aid convoy after entering the Gaza Strip via Karem Abu Salem Crossing Point, Petra was informed

The aid convoy, which was sent by the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization (JHCO), was unloaded to non-Jordanian trucks driven by non-Jordanian drivers after crossing King Hussein Bridge.

The UNRWA was expected to receive the convoy and unload it into its warehouses in Gaza to be distributed later on civilians in the strip.

The armed men opened fire at drivers after crossing Karem Abu Salem crossing point and forced them to head to their own warehouses.

UNRWA has asked the transport company not to send the aid convoys scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday until the issue of the seized convoy is solved.

Remarkably, neither the UN nor the UNRWA Web sites provide any reference whatsoever to the attack and the temporary suspension of aid to UNRWA. No denunciations. No calls for investigations. And, aside from the Palestinian Maan News Agency, the media has not covered this story.

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