The Israeli occupation authorities announced on Tuesday a decision to suspend the entry of relief aid supervised by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) from Egyptian territories into the Gaza Strip. This decision came under the pretext of detecting what it described as an attempt to smuggle prohibited materials within humanitarian shipments. The occupation authorities stipulated that the international organization provide the results of an official and detailed investigation before resuming permission for its supplies to pass.
The Coordinator of Government Activities in the Palestinian Territories (COGAT) explained that the measure was taken following allegations of seizing quantities of tobacco and nicotine hidden inside aid shipments coordinated through UNICEF at the Kerem Shalom crossing. This development comes at a sensitive time when the Strip is suffering from a severe shortage of basic materials, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis faced by the besieged population.
For its part, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported that relief movements through the Kerem Shalom crossing face strict restrictions and continuous obstacles that prevent the arrival of essential supplies. UN sources indicated that relief teams have recently been able to bring in only limited quantities of fuel, while the rest of the vital needs remain stalled due to complex Israeli procedures at the only currently available crossing.
Amid the continued closure of the Rafah and 'Zikim' crossings, international pressure on the occupation authorities to open additional crossings and facilitate the flow of urgent humanitarian aid is increasing. International officials warned of the dangers facing civilians as a result of continued shelling and raids on residential areas, emphasizing the need to adhere to international humanitarian law, which mandates the protection of civilian infrastructure and ensuring unimpeded access to relief.
In a related context, UNRWA revealed the deteriorating living conditions of approximately 73,000 Palestinian refugees currently residing in overcrowded shelters belonging to it within the Strip. The agency explained that schools that were not completely destroyed have been converted into temporary shelters for displaced families, forcing educational staff to search for alternative and simple spaces to continue the educational process for children under these harsh conditions.
The ban will continue until the UN organization provides the findings of a comprehensive investigation and an official response regarding this matter.
שתף את דעתך
Occupation halts 'UNICEF' aid entry to Gaza on pretext of thwarting smuggling attempt