A Canadian aid group said its main water delivery truck had been bombed in Gaza. The group called on the Canadian government to launch a full investigation into what it described as a “targeted” incident.
The International Development and Relief Foundation (IDRF), a registered non-profit organization based in Toronto, told CBC News that the truck was attacked with a bomb in the early hours of Wednesday morning and that no one was injured in the incident.
Zeina Osman, the IDRF’s head of impact, said the bombing was the first in the current Gaza war involving a Canadian aid truck, but she declined to comment directly on whether the organization believes the Israeli military was behind the attack.
The truck was parked outside the Tuffah district in northern Gaza at the time, but was clearly marked with the organization’s name and a maple leaf, she said.
“It’s hard not to see this as another attack on the international aid community,” Osman told CBC News.
The bombing came less than two weeks after Israel admitted that one of its airstrikes had mistakenly hit a World Central Kitchen (WCK) convoy, killing seven aid workers, including a man with dual Canadian-American citizenship.
Nabil Ali, IDRF chief operating officer, said the agency informed Global Affairs Canada about the bombing but received no response.
“We are seeking the assistance of the Canadian government,” he said. “I think the government needs to at least look into this … to understand exactly how this could have happened to a Canadian aid organization that is providing aid on the ground.”
CBC News has contacted Global Affairs for comment.
Nabil Ali, IDRF chief operating officer, said the truck was paid for entirely with Canadian donations and thousands would be without water as a result of the bombing. (Submitted by IDRF)
Ali said the truck was on the road the day before the water delivery and when IDRF workers returned in the morning, they found it destroyed.
“It was a shock for the whole team and we are very, very grateful that no one on our team was injured. But it really shook us up and we are very worried about what the future holds for us at the moment.”
“We wonder why a water tank that provides clean drinking water was bombed. This makes absolutely no sense,” he said. “The basic humanitarian principles are not being respected and this is a real problem.”
“Humanitarian principles are not being respected”
Late last month, the United Nations’ top court ordered Israel to take measures, including opening more land crossings to allow food, water and fuel to be delivered to the war-ravaged enclave, where 2.3 million civilians are suffering crippling shortages of essential goods.
The International Court of Justice has issued two new so-called interim measures in a case brought by South Africa, which accuses Israel of genocide in its military campaign in the Gaza Strip, which began after the October 7 Hamas-led attacks.
Israel strictly denies committing genocide and describes its military action as self-defense. Israel asked the court not to issue any new orders.
Ali said the truck was paid for entirely with Canadian donations and that thousands would be without water as a result of the bombing.
“This truck was crucial in providing people with clean drinking water every day,” he said.
Nabil Ali, chief operating officer of the IDRF, said the agency notified Global Affairs Canada about the bombing but received no response. (CBC)
In a post on X (formerly known as Twitter), NDP MP Heather McPherson called on Canada’s foreign minister to respond to the bombing.
“A Canadian aid agency’s water truck was bombed in Gaza. Attacks on humanitarian workers continue. @MelanieJoly, what measures are you taking to put an end to this horror?”
Ontario MP Salma Zahid also spoke out, calling the incident “disappointing and devastating news.”
“Water is life and access to clean drinking water is lifesaving for millions of people in Gaza. Humanitarian groups like @IDRFcanada are doing vital work and all parties to the conflict have a duty to ensure their protection.”
CBC News has asked Global Affairs Canada for clarification on whether the investigation into the airstrike on the WCK convoy is ongoing. The ministry has not responded, nor has it said whether it plans to involve its own investigators in the investigation or have direct access to the Israel Defense Forces soldiers involved.
Meanwhile, the IDRF said on X that the truck had provided tens of thousands of people with clean drinking water over the past six months and served as a “lifeline” in the north and center of the Gaza Strip.
The army also said it would continue its operations, albeit with smaller tanks, making the situation more difficult. It also reiterated its call for an “immediate and permanent ceasefire” in Gaza.
“This incident highlights the dangers humanitarian workers face every day. It is not the first time aid workers have been targeted in this crisis and, unfortunately, it may not be the last,” it said.
“We refuse to accept a reality in which providing life-saving care comes at such devastating costs.”
