Gaza: Israel Stops UN Polio Vaccine Convoy At "Gun Point", Bulldoze Vehicles (image@ UNRWA)
Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees) chief said it is not clear if the polio vaccine campaign will move forward in the northern Gaza. The remark came after Israeli forces detained and threatened UN staff on their way to begin the polio rollout.
Taking to X, Lazzarini said the UN convoy was stopped at the “gun point”. He also said that UN armoured vehicles were bulldozed by the Israeli army.
Reportedly, the Palestinian and international staff travelling with the convoy were detained for more than eight hours before releasing. The staff reached back at the UN base.
Also Read: Polio Makes A Deadly Comeback In Gaza
The Israeli Occupation Force (IOF) said it detained the UN convoy to question “Palestinian suspects”, and claimed the convoy was not transporting polio vaccines.
The Israeli Army stopped a UN convoy on its way to northern #Gaza for more than eight hours today (Monday) despite prior detailed coordination.
The convoy had both national & international staff traveling to roll out the #polio vaccination campaign for children in Gaza city and…
— Philippe Lazzarini (@UNLazzarini) September 9, 2024
Israel has been claiming that the UNRWA staff took part in the October 7th attack on Israel last year. The claim made several Western countries to freeze funding the agency, further adding misery to the already starving Palestinian population. Israel blocked all the humanely basic necessities like food, water, fuel, and electricity since the beginning of the war, forcing starvation and death on the Palestinian population.
The condition in Gaza got worse day after day. People were reduced to eating animal feeds and grass to stay alive. The Palestinian population, including children resort to drinking contaminated water, as no other options were available. Israel has also destroyed health care sectors and sewage systems of the Strip.
Also Read: “It’s Much Easier To Bomb A Family Home”: Israel’s Gaza Killing Spree Explained
In August this year, the Palestinian Health Ministry announced Gaza’s first proven case of polio infection in 25 years. the virus infected a 10-year-old baby, leaving him paralyzed.
Though only one case has been reported, with Israel’s continued attack, concerns over finishing the polio vaccination campaign are at large.
Pledging to destroy Hamas, Israel has unleashed cataclysmic attack in Gaza, killing thousands of Palestinians. Over 40,819 Palestinians were killed, mostly women and children.
