ISTANBUL

Israeli forces targetted a United Nations convoy heading to Gaza City, the head of the UN Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) said on Monday.

Writing on X, Philippe Lazzarini said, “While there are no casualties, our teams had to duck and take cover."

The incident occurred on Sunday, the UN official said, adding that teams were traveling in "clearly marked UN armored vehicles and wearing UN vests."

“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; it left the convoy. The teams re-assembled and finally reached Gaza City," he said.

Lazzarini noted that the convoy had been coordinated and approved by Israeli officials before departure.

"Humanitarian aid workers are #NOTaTarget. Those responsible must be held accountable," he wrote.

Flouting a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire, Israel has faced international condemnation amid its continued brutal offensive on Gaza since an Oct. 7 attack by Hamas.

Nearly 39,000 Palestinians have since been killed, mostly women and children, and over 89,700 injured, according to local health authorities.

Over nine months into the Israeli onslaught, vast tracts of Gaza lie in ruins amid a crippling blockade of food, clean water and medicine.

Israel is accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice, whose latest ruling ordered it to immediately halt its military operation in Rafah, where more than 1 million Palestinians had sought refuge from the war before it was invaded on May 6.

*Writing by Mohammad Sio