The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has warned that Israeli authorities are obstructing the entry of critical medical supplies into Gaza, putting a mass vaccination campaign at risk.
UNICEF spokesperson Ricardo Pires said the agency has been waiting since August for customs approval on 1.6 million syringes and solar-powered refrigerators to store vaccines safely. “Both the syringes and the refrigerators are considered dual-use by Israel and these items we’re finding very hard to get through clearances and inspections, yet they are urgent,” Pires explained.
“Dual-use” refers to items that Israel considers to have both civilian and potential military applications. COGAT, the body of the Israeli military overseeing aid flows, stated that it does not block syringes or refrigeration equipment but exercises caution to prevent aid from being “cynically exploited” by Hamas. It also said it offers international organizations alternative solutions for delivering critical aid.
Despite these delays, hundreds of trucks carrying food, water, fuel, medicines and shelter supplies continue to enter Gaza daily in coordination with the UN. However, UNICEF reports that almost 938,000 bottles of ready-to-use infant formula and spare parts for water trucks remain stuck at the border.
Since the October 10 truce, UNICEF has launched the first of three catch-up immunization rounds targeting over 40,000 children under three years old who missed routine vaccines against polio, measles and pneumonia. On day one of the campaign, more than 2,400 children received multiple vaccines.
“The vaccination campaign has started, but we have two rounds to go, and for that we need more supplies,” Pires said, urging a swift resolution to the clearance backlogs. Without these syringes and refrigeration units, thousands of children could miss life-saving vaccines in the coming weeks.
Relief agencies say the pace of shipments still falls short of the needs of a largely displaced and malnourished population of two million in Gaza.
Reference(s):
UNICEF: Israel blocks 1m syringes needed to vaccinate Gaza children
cgtn.com
