43:I[185,["/_next/static/chunks/2ys9ev5m3_24i.js","/_next/static/chunks/3pomb8r7ja54n.js","/_next/static/chunks/42spz6paskvb6.js","/_next/static/chunks/178kgr5-cejk9.js","/_next/static/chunks/1v5ewlr55okcj.js","/_next/static/chunks/3jnlvw-emqotx.js"],"SendEmailButton"] 45:I[63625,["/_next/static/chunks/2ys9ev5m3_24i.js","/_next/static/chunks/3pomb8r7ja54n.js","/_next/static/chunks/42spz6paskvb6.js","/_next/static/chunks/178kgr5-cejk9.js","/_next/static/chunks/1v5ewlr55okcj.js","/_next/static/chunks/3jnlvw-emqotx.js"],"AddToLibraryButton"] 46:I[29721,["/_next/static/chunks/2ys9ev5m3_24i.js","/_next/static/chunks/3pomb8r7ja54n.js","/_next/static/chunks/42spz6paskvb6.js","/_next/static/chunks/178kgr5-cejk9.js","/_next/static/chunks/1v5ewlr55okcj.js","/_next/static/chunks/3jnlvw-emqotx.js"],"ShareButton"] 47:I[58016,["/_next/static/chunks/2ys9ev5m3_24i.js","/_next/static/chunks/3pomb8r7ja54n.js","/_next/static/chunks/42spz6paskvb6.js","/_next/static/chunks/178kgr5-cejk9.js","/_next/static/chunks/1v5ewlr55okcj.js","/_next/static/chunks/3jnlvw-emqotx.js"],"ProcessEpisodeButton"] 48:I[45269,["/_next/static/chunks/2ys9ev5m3_24i.js","/_next/static/chunks/3pomb8r7ja54n.js","/_next/static/chunks/42spz6paskvb6.js","/_next/static/chunks/178kgr5-cejk9.js","/_next/static/chunks/1v5ewlr55okcj.js","/_next/static/chunks/3jnlvw-emqotx.js"],"SignupCTA"] 3a:["$","time",null,{"dateTime":"2025-04-04T10:35:00.000Z","children":"April 4, 2025"}] 3b:["$","span",null,{"aria-hidden":true,"children":"·"}] 3c:["$","span",null,{"children":"00:31:59"}] 3d:["$","p",null,{"className":"max-w-[60ch] text-[18px] leading-[1.5] text-[color:var(--fg-2)]","children":"Endless Thread took a journey beyond America's commercial pickup truck identity to understand why the Hilux is the truck of choice in military conflict around the world."}] 44:T478,

In April of 2024, a group of aid workers were killed by Israeli Defense Forces while bringing food to Central Gaza. The IDF had alleged that its military analysts had identified a gunman on top of one of the trucks carrying supplies, suggesting it was a military vehicle, not an aid vehicle.

In the online debate following the event, a familiar trope popped up: arguing over whether one of the aid trucks a Toyota Hilux. The reason? In military conflict around the globe, the Hilux is a familiar character. Whether you're a U.S. designated terrorist group, a "freedom fighter," or someone else involved in direct armed conflict, you probably know about the Hilux.

Endless Thread wanted to know why, and how, this happened. So we took a journey beyond America's commercial pickup truck identity to understand why beyond our borders, the Hilux is the truck of choice.

Credits: This episode was produced by Ben Brock Johnson and Dean Russell. Mix and sound design by Paul Vaitkus. It was co-hosted by Ben Brock Johnson and Amory Sivertson.