Gaza Strip

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The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) said on Monday (Jul 22) that its convoy was hit by Israeli fire a day before. In a post on X, the UNRWA said that the convoy was going on a coordinated and approved mission to Gaza City.

"While there are no casualties, one of the armoured cars was severely damaged and forced to leave the convoy. Those responsible must be held accountable," the UNRWA added.

'Aid workers are not a target'

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In a separate post on X, UNRWA's Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini said that those responsible must be held accountable.

"One vehicle received at least five bullets while waiting just ahead of the Israeli Forces’ checkpoint south of Wadi Gaza. The car was severely damaged, and it left the convoy. The teams re-assembled & finally reached Gaza City," Lazzarini said.

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"Like all other similar UN movements, this movement was coordinated and approved by the Israeli authorities," he added. 

Hamas fired at UNICEF convoy: Israel

This incident comes nearly a month after the Israeli military said on June 25 that Hamas fired a projectile at a UNICEF humanitarian aid convoy, the news agency Reuters reported.

A video released by the Israeli military showed UN personnel running for cover in a UN-marked vehicle and Israeli soldiers taking cover in a mobile shelter and on the ground, followed by an explosion.

The aid convoy, the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) said, was coordinated with UNICEF to reunite children from northern Gaza with their families in the south. It said the projectile was fired at the humanitarian route in Gaza where Israeli soldiers are securing the area.

International aid workers and Israeli soldiers were not hurt in the attack, it added.

(With inputs from agencies)