As the war rages between Israel and Hamas, the United Nations calls upon the same heroes who got us through the pandemic to bring humanitarian aid to the trapped Palestinians — Truck Drivers.
More than 200 trucks loaded with 3,000 tons of food, water, and necessities were poised to enter the warzone from the Egyptian border on Friday, Oct. 20. Following a brutal attack by Hamas militants that killed more than 1,000 civilians, the Jewish State ordered people in the Gaza strip to evacuate as an invasion was imminent, cutting off power and water supplies. American citizens and people from other countries are reportedly trapped in Gaza.
Reports indicate Hamas militants prevented peaceful Palestinians and visitors from leaving. Countries bordering the Gaza Strip refused to accept refugees. Residents were rationing food, some down to one meal per day. On Saturday, Oct. 21, the first 20 trucks rolled from Egypt into Gaza. They delivered medical supplies, drinking water, and food at great personal risk to the drivers.
“There I saw a paradox — a humanitarian catastrophe playing out in real-time. On the one hand, I saw hundreds of trucks teeming with food and other essential supplies. On the other hand, we know that just across the border, there are 2 million people — without water, food, fuel, electricity, and medicine. Children, mothers, the elderly, the sick. Full trucks on one side, empty stomachs on the other,” U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres reportedly said.
During the pandemic, upwards of 1.8 million truckers kept the U.S. supply chains open long before a vaccine was created, at a time when little was known about the virus. The tractor-trailer operators who cross into an area held by what many consider a terrorist organization have no guarantees. Although the 20-truck convoy was a welcome sight, the loads hardly put a dent in the needs of an area populated by 2.3 million.
“With one million children in Gaza now facing a critical protection and humanitarian crisis, the delivery of water is a matter of life or death. Every minute counts,” Unicef executive director Catherine Russell reportedly said. “This first, limited water will save lives, but the needs are immediate and immense – not just for water, but for food, fuel, medicine, and essential goods and services.”
Truckers stand ready to move life-saving food, water, medicine, bandages, and other items come what may. That’s because when things go sideways in the worst possible way, the world turns to truck drivers to shepherd them through.
Sources:
https://apnews.com/article/israel-egypt-gaza-border-crossing-aid-convoy-f061274acdc00788c9a7985d57aa84e0
https://www.reuters.com/world/orthodox-church-says-it-was-hit-by-israeli-air-strike-gaza-2023-10-20/#:~:text=Gaza’s%202.3%20million%20population%20comprises,of%20whom%20are%20Greek%20Orthodox.&text=The%20Israeli%20military%20said%20its,carry%20out%20attacks%20against%20Israel.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/israel-gaza-aid-egypt-palestinians-hamas-b2433711.html
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