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DUBAI: Jordan on Monday denounced the attacks on Jordanian relief trucks en route to the Gaza Strip by Israeli settlers, describing their actions as dangerous for aid drivers aside from obstructing humanitarian operations for the besieged enclave.

A group of settlers tried Sunday evening to block a convoy of 59 relief trucks, which later managed to cross into Gaza, Mohammad Momani, government spokesperson and Minister of Government Communication, said in a report from state news agency Petra.

Momani said four of the trucks were attacked, with settlers pelting them with stones, smashing windshields, slashing tires as well as damaging front and side panels

The Jordanian official emphasized that Israeli authorities were responsible for failing to restrain such incidents, calling the response “lax” and warning that the attacks posed risks to driver safety, hindered relief work and violated international conventions and agreements.

Meanwhile, Jordan has dispatched on Monday its 193rd humanitarian convoy into the enclave to deliver essential food supplies aboard 59 trucks.

The deliveries, according to Momani, would continue despite obstacles such as requirements for electronic applications to transport aid, limited inspection hours at border crossings and newly imposed customs fees.

These measures, he said, have stretched delivery times from about two hours to as long as 36 hours.

KHAN YOUNIS: An Israeli airstrike hit the fourth floor of southern Gaza’s main hospital Monday, killing at least 20 people, Gaza’s health ministry said.
The ministry said the victims on the fourth floor of Nasser Hospital were killed in a double-tap strike — one missile hitting first, then another moments later as rescue crews arrived.

The victims of the strike included four journalists, Palestinian health officials said.

Cameraman Hossam Al-Masri, who was killed in the strike, was a contractor for Reuters. Photographer Hatem Khaled, who was also a Reuters contractor, was wounded, the officials said.

Al Jazeera also confirmed photojournalist, Mohammad Salama, was killed in the hospital strike. 

The other victims included, Mariam Abu Daqa, who had worked for various outlets including The Independent Arabic and Associated Press as well as Moaz Abu Taha, a journalist with NBC network. 

Khan Younis’ Nasser Hospital, the largest in southern Gaza, has withstood raids and bombardment throughout 22 months of war, with officials citing critical shortages of supplies and staff.
Israel’s military did not immediately respond to questions about the strike.

The Israeli military said Monday it will investigate a strike in the area of Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis. 
Israeli attacks on hospitals are not uncommon. Multiple hospitals were struck or raided across the strip with Israel claiming attacking militants operating from inside the medical facilities without providing evidence.
A June strike on Nasser hospital killed three people and wounded 10. At the time Israeli military said it had precisely struck Hamas militants operating from within a command and control center at the hospital, however, no evidence was provided of the claim. 

With Agencies