Aid Truck Driver Killed in Gaza Sparks Rare Hebrew Protest Demanding IDF Investigation
Ahmed Nasser Salim, a 65-year-old aid truck driver working with the World Central Kitchen (WCK), was shot dead by Israeli forces on Wednesday while transporting supplies along the Philadelphi Route in Gaza. His death triggered an unusual protest in Gaza on Friday, where demonstrators, including Salim's family and other aid drivers, carried signs in Hebrew and English demanding an investigation into the shooting. Salim's father, speaking in Hebrew, pleaded for justice and described how his son was shot in the forehead by a soldier after his truck broke down and he exited the vehicle to fix an air pipe. "We only wanted to live with dignity and work," he said.
The protesters aimed their message directly at the Israeli military, hoping to break through what they called a wall of indifference by using Hebrew. They urged the Israeli public not to ignore the incident and called on the IDF to clarify the circumstances of the shooting. The demonstration was notable for its direct appeal in the language of the Israeli military.
The IDF offered a contrasting account, stating that earlier in the week, three aid truck drivers stopped on the Philadelphi Route and exited their vehicles against orders, leading to their detention for questioning. Separately, the driver of another truck ran toward Israeli forces at a nearby checkpoint, prompting soldiers to open fire under a suspect arrest protocol after perceiving an immediate threat. The driver was wounded, received first aid on site, and was later transferred for further medical treatment in coordination with the Red Cross. The IDF emphasized that leaving vehicles on the Philadelphi Route violates strict security guidelines designed to protect both drivers and soldiers, and that the investigation into the incident is ongoing.
The incident and ensuing protest highlight the tensions and risks faced by aid workers in Gaza and the complex security environment along the border. The IDF's investigation will determine the exact circumstances of the shooting, while the protest underscores the demand for accountability from the Israeli military.
