Unicef says Israel’s blockade is threatening lifesaving healthcare services for children, including newborns, in the Gaza Strip.
Rosalia Bollen, a spokesperson for Unicef, said the block on humanitarian aid, including vaccines and ventilators for pre-term babies, “will have devastating real-life consequences” for children and their parents.
“If we’re unable to bring that in, routine vaccination will come to a standstill,” she said. “Neonatal units won’t be able to care for preterm babies, so this is a real-life consequence that we’ll be dealing with very, very soon if we’re unable to resume the aid supplies coming in.”
Bollen, who is in Gaza, said existing supplies have already been largely distributed throughout the enclave.
“The needs are so high that we haven’t been able to stockpile goods … That’s why these latest restrictions are so devastating.
“The first phase of the ceasefire wasn’t just a pause in hostilities…it really was a lifeline for families here,” she added. “The mood here is very depressed; families that I speak with are deeply worried about what the future is going to hold.”
Nizar Ayyash, the mayor of Gaza’s Deir el-Balah area, has said the lack of fuel due to the ongoing Israeli blockde would make it nearly impossible to treat sewage or pump clean water.
“Closing the crossing will impact all aspects of life in Gaza, not just the Deir el-Balah municipality,” he said.
“We are sounding the alarm because we fear the fuel that the municipalities need to treat sewage, pump water from wells, and also lift and remove waste will be cut off. This is a very difficult situation.”
