Ahmad Esleem, a Palestinian driver delivering food aid for World Central Kitchen (WCK) into Gaza, was killed by an Israeli soldier in what witnesses and the local truckers' association describe as a "field execution." The incident has sparked outrage and a potential suspension of aid transport operations.
Shooting Details Emerge
On Wednesday, Esleem was part of a four-truck convoy transporting aid through the Philadelphi corridor, a military road on the southern edge of Gaza. When one truck broke down, the convoy stopped. According to fellow driver Diaa Mansour, an Israeli military vehicle arrived, and soldiers ordered him, Esleem, and another driver, Alaa Shaat, to dismount. The driver of the lead truck, Fares Muheisen, remained inside.
"They made us stand by the side of the road," Mansour recounted. "They ordered me to take off my clothes and forced me to sit under the sun. Then they brought Ahmad out of his truck. One of the soldiers began talking to Ahmad while he stood with his hands raised. Ahmad did not speak Hebrew, and it seemed the soldiers did not understand his Arabic. Suddenly, they shot him. He was hit in the head and died at the scene."
Witnesses Call It a Deliberate Killing
Jihad Esleem, deputy head of the Association of Transport Companies in Gaza and a distant relative of the victim, stated that an Israeli officer ordered the drivers to strip and beat them. "The moment Ahmad raised his hands in surrender, one of the soldiers drew his M16 rifle and shot him directly in the head. It was a field execution and a deliberate killing of a civilian driver who had complied with all instructions. He was wearing his orange safety vest and carried all the required permits, security clearances, and coordination that had been approved by the IDF," he said.
Esleem's employer, Iyad Qamri Trading and Public Transport Company, confirmed he was killed at close range. The 30-year-old father of two, including a one-month-old baby, was from Deir al-Balah. Eyad Esleem, the company owner, noted that five drivers have already resigned, fearing for their lives. "Drivers leave their homes at 3am, leaving behind their wives and children, and one of them may return to his family as a lifeless body," he said.
IDF Gives Different Account
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) acknowledged the shooting but offered a contrasting version. A military spokesperson said troops identified three drivers exiting their trucks "contrary to established procedures" and detained them. Simultaneously, the driver of another truck ran toward the troops, prompting them to open fire after perceiving an immediate threat. The driver was injured, given initial medical treatment, and transferred to a hospital via the Red Cross. The incident is under review.
Broader Context of Violence Against Drivers
This is not an isolated incident. On 21 May, two Palestinian drivers, Muhammad al-Heela and Mahmoud Awad, were allegedly shot under similar circumstances after being detained and released. In April, seven WCK employees were killed by an Israeli airstrike. Jihad Esleem emphasized that drivers face daily beatings, abuse, and humiliation. "Even more disturbing, the soldier who shot Ahmad talked to the three surviving drivers afterward and threatened them, saying they would meet the same fate as Ahmad. This clearly indicates that the attack was deliberate," he said.
Potential Suspension of Operations
The Transport Companies' Association will hold an emergency board meeting on Friday to discuss suspending operations at the Kerem Shalom crossing. Esleem warned that drivers are also being pressured to smuggle contraband, like cigarettes, by soldiers and traders, further endangering them. "I hold the IDF responsible for the continuation of these dangerous acts, because truck drivers have no role in smuggling," he added.
