The U.S. State Department imposed sanctions Friday against an Israeli group that has repeatedly blocked lifesaving humanitarian aid for civilians in Gaza.
Members of the Tzav 9 group have tried to thwart the delivery of aid to Gaza by blocking roads on the route from Jordan to Gaza. The group has damaged aid trucks and dumped humanitarian aid onto roads, according to the State Department.
“The provision of humanitarian assistance is vital to preventing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza from worsening and to mitigating the risk of famine,” said Matthew Miller, the State Department spokesperson.
The sanctions follow an executive order signed by President Joe Biden in February that allows the U.S. to impose sanctions on extremist Israeli settlers who “threaten” peace and stability in the West Bank, according to the order.
On May 13, Tzav 9 members looted and burned two trucks in the West Bank that were headed for Gaza, Miller noted.
Miller said in a statement the U.S. will continue to hold groups accountable that work to prevent humanitarian aid from reaching Gaza and called on the Israeli government to do the same.
“We will not tolerate acts of sabotage and violence targeting this essential humanitarian assistance,” he added.
