After “trying everything”, the hostage families take part in blocking humanitarian convoys in Gaza

“Assassins no help!” Rallying against the Kerem Shalom checkpoint barriers in southern Israel, more than 200 demonstrators are demanding an end to the delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza, who they accuse of “All linked to Hamas”. Behind a massive concrete wall, under the protection of Israeli border guards, a brick-red truck loaded with white plastic bags cautiously sneers at the crowd.

Often, the groups try to force the police to surround the semi-trailers to prevent them from traveling the few dozen meters that separate them from the Palestinian enclave. Somehow, the police managed to chase them away. On the eighth consecutive day of mobilization, Wednesday January 31, these Israeli activists met again early in the morning, with the aim of blocking as many trucks as possible.

To thwart numerous police barricades, demonstrators marched across the country’s roads and fields by foot or car. “Initially, we managed to block the passage completely,” explains Rachel, a young activist from the Tsav-9 movement (“Order No. 9” in French, referring to the Israeli military’s emergency code), which coordinates these actions. “But now that the police expect to see us, it becomes more difficult, she explains. This morning, we were still forced to turn around several trucks.”

Launched about ten days ago, the Tsav-9 organization claims to be part of civil society and some media have rejected the far-right label attached to it. “Citizens across the country have joined us, it’s a very broad movement”assures Rachel, interrupted by a scream. “Shame! Shame!”, shout the demonstrators, as another heavy goods vehicle passes them towards Gaza.

“At this rate, 136 coffins will return to us”

Among the crowd, Tel Aviv residents, reservists, West Bank settlers and religious Zionists are present in large numbers. Some are armed, as is permitted in certain areas in Israel. In recent days, they have also been reunited with families of presumed Hamas hostages, missing for nearly four months.

Standing in the middle of the demonstrators, Yale, 32, clings to his sign. Among the five hostage faces on her, she points to her uncle, 61-year-old Lior Rodaif, abducted on the morning of October 7 in the village of Nir Yitzhak. “He is suffering from a heart problem, but none of the officers are concerned about him, Says who is taking part in this kind of action for the first time. I want him to get medical help, not Hamas terrorists.”

Like other demonstrators present that morning, she believes that the month-and-a-half aid that has flowed through Kerem Shalom benefits the Islamic organization rather than the civilian population. When asked about the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian enclave, which the UN now describes as a territory “Nirja”He prefers to highlight the atrocities that took place on October 7, in which 1,140 people lost their lives. “Above all, I think there are no civilians (in Gaza) which is not involved In these attacks“she decides.

Tensions rose around the border post in the afternoon. A handful of young demonstrators break through metal barriers, after which they try to hide behind an embankment. In response, the police, some on horseback, rushed towards them. “The authorities are tightening restrictions and will prevent us from blocking the trucksShe fumes. At this rate, it is not 136 hostages but 136 coffins that will return us.”

pressure on law enforcement

Faced with increasingly numerous demonstrators, border guards are beefing up their systems. “Soldiers with us!”, “Break the order!”, shouts at him from the women who came with their children. Early in the morning, an officer said he called for calm “understood” demands, but she had it “Instructions to Follow”. Not enough for the activists, who continue to question them in front of uniformed agents.

“What will you tell your children in ten years?”, a young reservist asks a police officer barely older than him. He repeats his question to a more senior officer, who mutters an inaudible response before heading back to the checkpoint. “See how it goes!”mocks the demonstrator in his twenties.

Around 1 p.m., a new batch of trucks crossed the border in dribs and drabs. A bronchus arises among the workers. “If we are doing all this, it is because UNRWA is associated with Hamas”, said Nimor, a 59-year-old protester from Tel Aviv. The UN agency for Palestinian refugees has been in the eyes of many countries for several days following the accusations made by Israel. Although the investigation is ongoing, and the employees have been dismissed without delay, “The damage is done” According to opponents.

“We don’t trust UNRWA or humanitarian aid”, condemns Joshua, a thirty-year-old who spent more than two hours participating in this blockade. Like many demonstrators, he accuses Hamas of expropriating the fuel supplied by the convoys “Building new tunnels and launching missiles” on Israel.

While the Gaza Strip is under fire by the Israeli army, and a ground operation has been underway since late October, rocket fire from the Palestinian enclave has dropped sharply. But Monday’s launch of about ten devices in central Israel reignited tensions. “We cannot help our enemy, We give them a lot”, Judge Joshua, despite the fact that the UN believes that delivery is largely inadequate. “It’s sad for the civilians, but that’s not how you win a war.”

“This is the last resort to free my son”

A little to the side, Yevgenia Kozlova looks out at the crowd without leaving her mark. The mother of hostage Andrey Kozlov, 27, traveled from St. Petersburg (Russia) to seek the release of her son, who was abducted at the Supernova music festival in Reims, where he was working as a security guard.

If other hostage families invaded the Knesset, set up tents in front of the Israeli parliament, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s private residence, or went as far as Qatar to try to negotiate directly with Hamas officials, Yevgenia Kozlova turned to obstruction.

“I tried everything, I spent a lot of time in Bandak Square in Tel Aviv, but our influence is limited, She believes. For my part, I have received no sign of life from Andre since October 20. Obstacles are just struggles, VsThis is the last resort to free my son.”

After the first stay in Israel in October, the mother had to return to Russia to take care of her second son. She now plans to stay longer, “Until Andre’s Liberation” she announces. “My first request is that my son gets treatment, and of course he is released with the others”. Once the hostages are freed, she can “Sure Accept” Aid delivery to Gazans.

At the end of this eighth day of the blockade, about a hundred trucks were able to cross the Kerem Shalom checkpoint towards the Gaza Strip, according to Israeli media. On its WhatsApp channel, the Tsav-9 movement, however, welcomed it “Dedication” Demonstrators, and calls for the continuation of these actions. More than ever because of criticism, hoping to influence Israeli government decisions.

The comments quoted in this article were translated by Yaelle Krief.