NEW YORK, (PIC)
The spokesperson for the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Kazem Abu Khalaf, announced on Sunday the closure of approximately 21 centers for treating malnutrition in the Gaza Strip due to the resumption of Israeli aggression and the issuance of evacuation orders in operational areas.
He explained in press statements that UNICEF is awaiting a report from the body responsible for food security classification in the Gaza Strip and the presentation of results. He noted that Israel continues to close the crossings with the Gaza Strip and has been preventing the entry of aid, medical supplies, nutritional supplements, and other basic materials for 35 days.
UNICEF said yesterday that more than one million children in the Gaza Strip have been deprived of lifesaving assistance for over a month, pointing out that the continued blockade on aid entering Gaza constitutes a violation of international humanitarian law and has severe consequences for children.
UNICEF confirmed it has thousands of aid packages waiting to enter the Gaza Strip, and that they must be allowed in immediately. Additionally, complementary food for infants in Gaza has run out, with only enough ready-made milk left for 400 children for one month.
Meanwhile, the Health Ministry also warned that the Israeli prevention of polio vaccine’s entry into the Gaza Strip represents a ticking time bomb threatening an outbreak of the disease.
In a statement on Sunday, the ministry indicated that preventing vaccine entry is a deliberate targeting of children in the Gaza Strip, noting that 602,000 children are at risk of permanent paralysis and chronic disabilities if the necessary vaccines are not provided.
It pointed out that preventing the entry of vaccines means the collapse of efforts made over the past seven months, which will lead to serious and catastrophic repercussions for the targeted and exhausted health system, in addition to exacerbating social and economic impacts.
The Health Ministry called on relevant parties to pressure Israel to allow entry of the vaccine and provide safe passage to ensure access for children in various areas of the Gaza Strip.
