DaysofPal- The General Directorate of Civil Defense in the Gaza Strip has strongly condemned the Israeli deliberate targeting and destruction of nine “pick-up” vehicles used exclusively for humanitarian missions.
The vehicles, which were stationed at the Jabalia al-Nazla Municipality headquarters in the northern Gaza Strip, were struck during an Israeli genocide, leaving critical rescue and relief efforts in disarray.
In a press statement released on Tuesday, the Civil Defense Directorate expressed outrage over the attack, emphasizing that these vehicles had been deployed in life-saving operations, including removing rubble, rescuing the wounded, and recovering bodies of those killed in the ongoing conflict.
The targeted equipment included five CAT 950B pick-ups, three CAT 950E pick-ups, and one CAT 972 pick-up truck—all procured through the Qatari-Egyptian Committee during recent ceasefire negotiations.
Dr. Mohammed al-Mughayer, Director of Supply and Equipment at the Civil Defense, described the incident as a devastating blow to humanitarian efforts in the region.
He explained that the bulldozers and trucks were instrumental in clearing roads, retrieving remains of victims buried under debris, and supporting municipalities in establishing camps for displaced families.
“The civil defense teams relied on these vehicles to enhance response times in Rafah and Khan Yunis,” Dr. al-Mughayer stated.
“They also assisted in leveling land to create shelters and transporting bodies from mass graves near Kamal Adwan Hospital. These are purely humanitarian tasks to alleviate suffering in an already dire situation.”
Dr. al-Mughayer expressed disbelief at the targeting of such vital equipment, particularly since the location of the vehicles was formally communicated to the Israeli occupation forces via the Egyptian-Qatari Committee. The coordinates of the Jabalia al-Nazla Municipality garage, where the vehicles were stored, were explicitly shared to ensure their safety. He stressed that the area was not designated as an evacuation or military danger zone by Israeli occupation forces.
“This is a blatant violation of international humanitarian law,” Dr. al-Mughayer asserted, referring to the 1977 Additional Protocol to the Geneva Conventions, which mandates the protection of Civil Defense equipment and vehicles engaged in humanitarian interventions.
“Targeting these assets not only obstructs our ability to respond to emergencies but also represents a grave breach of global norms designed to safeguard civilians during conflicts.”
The destruction of the vehicles comes amid escalating violence in the Gaza Strip, where thousands have been displaced, injured, or killed in recent weeks. Humanitarian organizations operating in the region have repeatedly warned of a worsening crisis, with shortages of food, water, medical supplies, and fuel crippling essential services.
Local authorities and international observers have called for accountability and an immediate halt to attacks on civilian infrastructure and humanitarian resources. The Civil Defense directorate urged the global community to intervene, demanding that Israel respect its obligations under international law and cease actions that further endanger the lives of innocent Palestinians.
As the blockade and bombardments continue, the people of Gaza face mounting challenges in accessing necessities and emergency assistance.
The loss of these vehicles underscores the fragility of humanitarian operations in the region and raises urgent questions about the protection of aid workers and resources in conflict zones.
For now, the civil defense teams vow to persevere despite the setbacks, though their capacity to respond to emergencies has been severely diminished. “We will continue our mission to save lives,” Dr. al-Mughayer said, “but we cannot do it alone.
The world must act to prevent further atrocities and uphold the principles of humanity.”
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