UK’s David Cameron slams ‘extremist’ Israeli attacks on Gaza-bound aid

LONDON — Israeli “extremists” must stop attacks on convoys carrying aid to Gaza, Britain’s top diplomat warned Tuesday.

Foreign Secretary David Cameron said he will raise his concerns with Benjamin Netanyahu’s government after protesters were filmed blocking trucks headed for the besieged strip.

Video footage showed Israeli protesters on Monday destroying packages of aid after blocking the trucks. Some are seen throwing food packages onto the ground and ripping open bags of grain intended for Gaza, which has been hit by famine.

“Attacks by extremists on aid convoys en route to Gaza are appalling,” Cameron posted Tuesday on social network X.

“Gazans are at risk of famine and in desperate need of supplies,” he added. The U.N.’s food agency chief has said northern Gaza is experiencing a “full-blown” famine.

“Israel must hold attackers to account and do more to allow aid in — I will be raising my concerns with the Israeli government,” Cameron added.

The attacks — which took place in the Israel-occupied West Bank as trucks crossed the border with Jordan — have also been condemned by the White House, with U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan describing them as “completely and utterly unacceptable.”

Israel’s Defence Forces said the incident is being investigated, according to Sky News. According to reports in Israeli media, the Tzav 9 activist group claimed credit for blocking one of the aid shipments. The group is opposed to transfers of humanitarian aid in Gaza while Hamas holds Israeli hostages.

As it continues its campaign against Hamas, Israel is under pressure to step up the flow of aid into Gaza, where a severe humanitarian crisis threatens its densely-crowded population of more than two million people.