21-05-2025
Israeli protesters block aid to Gaza, call trucks ‘humanitarian ammunition'
Gaza continues to suffer under siege, while Israeli demonstrators on Wednesday escalated efforts to choke off the already restricted aid supply. Protesters shut down the Karem Abu Salem crossing, the only functional entry point for humanitarian aid, to demand a complete stop to relief shipments into the devastated enclave.
According to Israel National News, the protest was organised by far-right movements 'Tzav 9' and 'Miluimnikim – Generation of Victory,' who claim aid deliveries undermine Israel's war effort and benefit Hamas. The demonstration came after 93 trucks were allowed through the crossing a day earlier, a number still far below what humanitarian agencies say is needed to avert famine.
'This is an unimaginable injustice,' declared Reut Ben Chaim of Tzav 9. 'We cannot remain silent while this harm to our hostages continues. The people of Israel will come and stop this atrocity and the strengthening of a terror group.'
Israeli reserve soldier Ashriel Machlev of the Miluimnikim group added: 'This isn't humanitarian — it's national suicide and it's humanitarian ammunition... We will be here every week — hundreds of reservists ready to physically block this madness.'
Israel faces growing international condemnation for its stranglehold on aid to Gaza, where health officials warn of looming famine and the UN has described conditions as 'catastrophic.'
A new Channel 13 survey has revealed that over half of Israeli respondents - 53 percent - oppose allowing humanitarian aid into Gaza, even as conditions in the besieged enclave continue to deteriorate and the UN warns of deepening famine in the strip.
A truck carrying aid makes its way to the Gaza Strip from the Karem Abu Salem crossing also known as the Israeli Kerem Shalom crossing, on May 20, 2025 (AFP)
