THE CURIOUS CASE OF THE HIJACKED UN AID CONVOY

Elder of Ziyon has broken the news from a Jordanian source that "Hamas hijacked Jordanian aid trucks after they crossed into Gaza through the Kerem Shalom crossing on Tuesday. The aid was to go to UNRWA. As the truck drivers started unloading the aid, Hamas gunmen opened fire on them and forced them to go to Hamas-run stores."

The story has now been confirmed by the Palestinian News Agency Ma'an (although Ma'an is careful not to mention that it was Hamas that did this act, as the Jordanian source Petra reported).

A little over a week ago the international news agencies were all over a story about an alleged IDF shelling attack on a UN aid truck. UNRWA spokesperson Chris Gunness point blank accused the Israelis of responsibility and many willing news outlets were all to quick to echo the accusation. It turned out that one of the wounded Palestinians evacuated by the Red Cross to the Israeli border was being treated for gunshot wounds and not shrapnel from tank shells proving the IDF version that Hamas had carried out the atrocity. Gunness, who comes across in interviews as vehemently anti-Israel and singing directly from the Hamas hymn book, slunk back from whence he came and the story died a painful death.

Now, the Elder wants explanations. He sent this email to Gunness:

"Mr. Gunness:

This morning the Petra news agency of Jordan reported that one or more aid trucks from Jordan, meant for UNRWA,were hijacked at gunpoint byHamas.

Does UNRWA have any comment?

How many times has this happened, to any NGO aid?

Has UNRWA ever condemned Hamas for such actions?

Thanks"

Gunness, who has been ever so quick to shout his condemnation of the Israelis in other instances, shot back this response:

We are looking into this and I hope to have a reply for you soon. Chris

As this is all happening Ban Ki Moon is in town (Gaza) and for once, has no comment to make.

Meanwhile, the international media aren't touching the story.

Perhaps a few people might be interested in passing on this important news story as a "tip" to the Age which told the Australian Jewish News yesterday that they "want to continue to tell great stories," and that their coverage of the conflict is ... ahem "balanced".