Unicef: Israel prevents vaccines; infant formula from reaching Gaza

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) revealed today that Israel is preventing the entry of basic materials into the Gaza Strip, including vaccination syringes and bottles of milk for children, which hinders relief agencies' access to those in need in the war-weary Strip.

The organization explained that it faces major challenges in introducing 1.6 million solar-powered syringes and refrigerators designed to store children's vaccines, noting that these materials have been awaiting entry permits since last August.

In turn, UNICEF spokesman Ricardo Pires said that Israel considers syringes and refrigerators to be "dual-use" materials, meaning that they can potentially be used for both military and civilian purposes, adding: "We face great difficulty in obtaining customs permits and bypassing inspections, and yet they are necessary to save the lives of children."

The organization added that the Israeli authorities are still preventing the entry of other vital materials, including about 938 thousand bottles of ready-to-use infant formula, in addition to spare parts for water trucks needed to distribute water in the Strip.

ANHA