Brutal field execution: Israeli troops kill Gaza aid driver

GAZA CITY, Palestine (MNTV) — Israeli soldiers fatally shot a Palestinian aid driver delivering humanitarian supplies into the Gaza Strip, with witnesses accusing troops of carrying out what they described as a deliberate execution despite the convoy operating under prior coordination with Israeli authorities.

According to witnesses cited by The Guardian, Ahmad Nasser Saleem was part of a four-truck convoy transporting food on behalf of the humanitarian organization World Central Kitchen (WCK) when one of the vehicles broke down along the Philadelphi Corridor near Gaza’s southern border.

The drivers said they halted the convoy and waited for permission to inspect the disabled truck, explaining that all movements involving humanitarian deliveries are coordinated in advance with Israeli authorities.

One of the surviving drivers, Diaa Mansour, said Israeli troops arrived shortly afterward and ordered the drivers out of their vehicles. He said the soldiers forced the men to stand by the roadside while they questioned Saleem.

According to Mansour, Saleem had both hands raised and appeared unable to understand instructions because he did not speak Hebrew, while the soldiers did not understand Arabic.

Witnesses said an Israeli soldier then fired a single shot into Saleem’s head at close range, killing him instantly.

Jihad Saleem, deputy head of the Association of Transport Companies in Gaza, described the shooting as “a field execution” and accused Israeli forces of deliberately killing a civilian who had complied with all required procedures.

He said the convoy had been fully coordinated through the UN World Food Programme and World Central Kitchen, and that the victim was wearing a high-visibility safety vest while carrying all required permits and security clearances.

Jihad Saleem further alleged that the surviving drivers were threatened after the shooting, claiming Israeli soldiers warned they would suffer the same fate if they did not comply.

The Israeli military confirmed that its forces opened fire but rejected the witnesses’ account. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the convoy had stopped contrary to established procedures and claimed one of the drivers moved toward Israeli troops, prompting soldiers to activate what it described as a suspect apprehension protocol after perceiving an immediate threat.

Aid workers operating in Gaza have repeatedly reported harassment, prolonged detentions, physical abuse and intimidation while attempting to deliver humanitarian assistance under Israeli military supervision.

The killing comes amid mounting concern over the safety of humanitarian personnel in Gaza. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), at least 593 aid workers have been killed in the territory since the war began in October 2023, including several after the October 2025 ceasefire.

The incident also follows other deadly attacks involving humanitarian personnel. In May, two Palestinian aid drivers were reportedly shot after being detained by Israeli forces, while two UNICEF water truck drivers were killed by Israeli fire the previous month as they collected water at a designated distribution point.

Saleem is at least the 11th World Central Kitchen worker reported killed during the conflict. In April 2024, an Israeli strike killed seven WCK staff members traveling in clearly marked aid vehicles despite prior coordination with Israeli authorities. Another Israeli strike in November 2024 killed three additional WCK workers.

World Central Kitchen said it was “devastated” by Saleem’s death, describing him as a humanitarian worker dedicated to delivering food to civilians facing severe hunger.

The organization called for a full investigation into the incident, stressing that humanitarian workers and aid deliveries must never become targets during armed conflict.