Human Rights Group Calls Israel Eight Times Attacking Humanitarian Worker Locations Despite Coordination

The World Central Kitchen humanitarian aid agency vehicle was attacked by the Israeli military. (Wikimedia Commons/Tasnim News Agency)

JAKARTA - The Human Rights Watch (HRW) group said Israeli forces had attacked the site of humanitarian workers at least eight times, although humanitarian agencies had coordinated and provided their coordinates "to ensure protection".

At least 15 people, including two children, were killed in the eight attacks, HRW said in a report on Tuesday, according to CNN on May 14. HRW said Israeli authorities did not issue advance warnings to any aid organizations before the attack took place.

"The state government that continues to provide weapons to the Israeli government is at risk of engaging in war crimes," HRW said.

The eight attacks "revealed fundamental weaknesses in the so-called deconflict system, which is meant to protect aid workers," the report said.

One of the reported attacks occurred on January 18, most likely with US-made ammunition covering British-made components, the UK-based NGO Medical Aid for Palestinians said, citing UN inspectors. The bomb was dropped by an F-16 aircraft.

Staff from 11 humanitarian organizations and UN agencies in Gaza told HRW Israel's attacks on aid workers "forced them to take various measures" including suspending or "very restrictive" operations, reducing employees in the region. The United Nations reports that 254 aid workers have been killed in Gaza since October.

"Israeli authorities deliberately obstructed the delivery of water, food, and fuel, deliberately obstructing humanitarian aid, apparently destroying agricultural territory, and seizing objects much needed by civilians for their survival," he said.