Israeli settlers gather to block the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza<\/p>\n
Israeli demonstrators on Wednesday escalated efforts to choke off the already restricted aid supply into Gaza, as the territory remains under total siege by Israel.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
According to Israel National News, the protest was organised by far-right movements Tzav 9 and Miluimnikim \u2013 Generation of Victory,\u201d who claim aid deliveries undermine Israel\u2019s war effort and benefit Hamas.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is an unimaginable injustice,\u201d declared Reut Ben Chaim of Tzav 9. \u201cWe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
Israeli reserve soldier Ashriel Machlev of the Miluimnikim group added: \u201cThis isn\u2019t humanitarian – it\u2019s national suicide and it\u2019s humanitarian ammunition… We will be here every week – hundreds of reservists ready to physically block this madness.\u201d<\/p>\n
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 \u201ccatastrophic\u201d.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n