Reports: Palestinian aid driver shot dead after convoy stops at Gaza crossing

What happened

The Guardian Gaza reports eyewitness accounts and statements from the local truckers association alleging that Ahmad Esleem, a Palestinian driver bringing World Central Kitchen food aid into Gaza, was shot in the head by an Israeli soldier after his convoy stopped due to a truck breakdown near the Philadelphi corridor. Witnesses say Esleem’s hands were raised when he was killed, and the truckers association said it may suspend operations in protest of the shooting.

Outside Brief is treating this as a source-led account. Any disputed responsibility, casualty figure, battlefield claim or single-source assertion should be treated as unconfirmed/hearsay unless confirmed by another reliable source or a named official. According to three eyewitness accounts, including fellow driver Diaa Mansour, the convoy was waiting for authorization to inspect the broken-down truck when soldiers arrived, ordered the drivers out of their vehicles, and then shot Esleem almost immediately after realizing they did not understand the situation. Mansour said Esleem stood with his hands raised during the incident, but was nonetheless shot in the head and died at the scene.

Jihad Esleem, deputy head of the Association of Transport Companies in Gaza and a relative of Ahmad Esleem, told The Guardian that the convoy was fully coordinated with the United Nations World Food Programme and the World Central Kitchen, and that Ahmad had all the necessary permits and was wearing a safety vest. He described the killing as a "field execution" and deliberate, pointing to the lack of discussion or communication before the shooting.

Known from the source

• Ahmad Esleem, a Palestinian aid driver, was shot and killed near the Philadelphi corridor after an aid convoy stopped due to a truck breakdown.
• Eyewitnesses and the local truckers association claim Esleem was shot with his hands raised and was wearing a safety vest with all required permits.
• The convoy was bringing food aid from the World Central Kitchen.
• The IDF confirms a shooting incident occurred but says troops opened fire after perceiving a threat from a driver running toward them.
• The incident is currently under review by the IDF.

What remains unclear

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF), while confirming a shooting took place, provided a different version in a statement. They said the drivers exited their trucks contrary to established procedures and that troops detained them for questioning. They stated a driver running towards troops was perceived as an immediate threat, leading to them opening fire. According to the IDF, the injured driver was given medical treatment on site and then transferred for further care. The incident is reportedly under review.

What remains unclear: Confirm whether the central claim is corroborated; until then treat it as unconfirmed/hearsay. Verification of the exact sequence of events at the crossing from independent observers or official investigations. Clarification of the IDF’s rules of engagement and whether the convoy was properly coordinated. Verification of whether the truckers association has formally suspended operations or issued official statements.

Evidence note

This story contains report-led claims. The article keeps those claims attributed and treats them as unconfirmed/hearsay unless independently corroborated.

Original source: The Guardian Gaza. Open the source.