For 5th Day, Israeli Protesters Block Trucks From Entering Gaza With Humanitarian Assistance

JERUSALEM (VINnews) — For the fifth day running, a group of protesters came to the Kerem Shalom crossing and blocked the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza. Some trucks managed to get through before the group, which had been delayed by the IDF and police, blocked the crossing once again.

The protesters, members of the Tzav 9 protest group, reportedly include the families of some of the hostages held in Gaza.

Protesters said that “We welcome the decision to block but instead of doing it to families of hostages and soldiers, it must be done to the murderous terrorist organization Hamas which receives these trucks like oxygen and breathing space to continue its attacks on us. Our struggle will continue with determination but without any violence against our forces. No trucks will pass until the last of the hostages return.”

דלפ או לא: המחאה של משפחות החטופים שחוסמות את כרם שלום למעבר סיוע הומניטרי לעזה עד שהחטופים ישוחררו, תורמת לחטופים הרבה יותר מאשר חסימה של נתיבי איילון ושיבוש התנועה בתל אביב pic.twitter.com/raSZ6aGa69

— 🏳️‍🌈 Dovik. (@dovik_co) January 28, 2024

According to Rabbi Dov Lior, it was permitted to desecrate Shabbat to prevent humanitarian aid entering Gaza, as this aid reaches Israel’s enemies and directly endangers the soldiers fighting in the Gaza strip. Rabbi Shlomo Aviner sharply disputed this ruling.

On Wednesday, the demonstrators held up over 100 trucks, some of which were eventually diverted to an alternative entry point in Egypt. On the following days they continued to prevent dozens of trucks from providing humanitarian assistance to Gaza.

On Friday, US Defense Minister Lloyd Austin spoke with his Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant, reiterating “U.S. support for Israel’s right to defend itself and the importance of ensuring uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian assistance to Gaza.”