Members of the right-wing Israeli group Tzav 9 blocked a convoy of humanitarian aid trucks headed for Gaza on Friday, demanding the return of the remains of 19 Israeli hostages still held by Hamas. The protest took place at the Kerem Shalom crossing, a key entry point for supplies under the U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement.
Witnesses said the activists used strollers with infants to block the trucks, which were carrying flour and other vital goods. Videos shared on X showed families sitting on the road as truck drivers were forced to stop. The move sparked outrage online and drew condemnation from aid groups and commentators who called it dangerous and inhumane.
Tzav 9 said the blockade would continue until Hamas returns all hostage remains. In a statement, the group said, “As long as there is no agreement, aid must not continue. The aid helps the terror organization recover without giving anything back.”
Under the ceasefire deal, Israel agreed to allow up to 600 trucks of aid into Gaza each day. However, the UN reported that only 216 trucks per day entered between October 10 and 16, far below what is needed to prevent famine. The UN has warned that Gaza requires 500 to 1,000 trucks daily to meet urgent humanitarian needs.
Israeli officials have accused Hamas of delaying the return of hostages, saying the group needs “special equipment” to recover bodies buried under rubble. Hamas blamed Israel for obstructing the process and using the issue to justify slowing aid deliveries.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would “continue the struggle” until all remains are returned. So far, nine of the 28 expected hostages’ bodies have been recovered.
This is not the first time Tzav 9 has disrupted aid convoys. The group previously staged blockades at Kerem Shalom, including one in May 2025, which led to several arrests. UN officials warned that such actions worsen Gaza’s already severe humanitarian crisis, where millions face hunger and disease.
