Masked gunmen attack UN convoy in Gaza Strip

Masked gunmen ambushed and opened fire on a three-vehicle United Nations convoy in the Gaza Strip today shortly after it left the crossing point with Israel carrying a senior official of the main UN agency for Palestinian refugees, but all the passengers and drivers escaped injury.

The director of the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) Field Office in Gaza, John Ging, was leaving the Erez crossing point for Gaza City when a vehicle blocked the convoy about one kilometre to the south in what agency Commissioner-General Karen Koning AbuZayd called “this unprecedented attack on UN staff in Gaza.”

Three armed men jumped out and attempted to open the doors of the middle car in the convoy. When it became clear that the doors were locked, they opened fire directly on the car, leaving 11 bullet holes in the side. Nobody was hurt and the passengers and drivers were able to travel safely to UNRWA’s headquarters in Gaza City.

Ms. AbuZayd condemned the attack in the strongest possible terms and urged that those responsible be identified and brought to justice.