Politics

Israeli Soldiers Helping Settlers Destroy Gaza Aid Trucks, Claims Report

MAY 22 2024·Updated MAY 23 2024

Story

Image credit: Amir Levy/Stringer/Getty Images News via Getty Images

The Facts

The Israeli settler activist group Tzav 9 has admitted to blocking aid trucks heading to Gaza since January, allegedly because "it will end up in the hands of Hamas." The group said it had received the locations of these trucks from "Israeli forces."
guardian
The claims were corroborated by The Guardian, which reviewed internal settler WhatsApp chat groups. The Israeli newspaper Haaretz last week also quoted a senior Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) official, who said settlers had received "inside information."
republicworld.com
According to one Palestinian truck driver who was reportedly attacked last week at Tarqumiya checkpoint, the settlers also beat an Israeli rights activist for attempting to document the attacks on truck deliveries.
AA
Videos last week captured settlers throwing boxes of supplies, such as rice and flour, to the ground. Others showed trucks on fire, although a Tzav spokesperson said it was Hamas lighting vehicles on fire.
guardian
US officials have reportedly said that Washington is considering sanctioning certain Israeli groups for attacking aid deliveries. Meanwhile, Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir argued that, while the attacks are wrong, he supports settlers' right to protest.
republicworld.com
The IDF also said that two soldiers from the Home Front Command refused to intervene in an aid convoy attack last week, one of whom was given 20 days in prison.
guardian

Sources Split

LEFT

CENTER

RIGHT

ESTAB
CRIT

CENTER

PRO
ESTAB

The Spin

Pro-establishment narrative

These attacks are being committed by extremist settlers and have no connection to official IDF policy. Not only is the US considering sanctioning these fringe groups, but the IDF itself has stepped in to defend the aid convoys, including with tear gas. Israeli policy is to protect the innocent and combat the aggressors, whether they're Palestinian or Israeli.

www.timesofisrael.com

Establishment-critical narrative

Whether it's their official policy or not, Israel has for months been ignoring, or outright helping these settlers in their violent efforts to prevent Palestinians from getting food. Despite credible sources admitting to and video footage showing this happening, the US repeatedly offers weak condemnation while continuing to fund Israel's genocide.

Intercept