A United Nations convoy led by the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) was detained by Israeli forces for over eight hours on Monday, according to UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini.
The convoy, consisting of both national and international staff, was en route to northern Gaza to initiate a polio vaccination campaign for children when it was halted at gunpoint near the Wadi Gaza checkpoint. Lazzarini reported that Israeli forces threatened to detain the UN staff and caused significant damage to the convoy’s armored vehicles using bulldozers.
This incident occurred despite prior coordination with Israeli authorities. Eventually, all staff and vehicles were released and returned safely to the UN base. The delay raises concerns about whether the planned polio vaccination campaign, targeting children in Gaza City and northern Gaza, will proceed as scheduled on Tuesday.
Lazzarini noted that this event is part of a troubling pattern of violations against UN staff, which includes previous instances of shootings at convoys and detentions at checkpoints by the Israeli military, despite prior notifications. He emphasized that UN personnel must be allowed to perform their humanitarian duties safely, in accordance with international humanitarian law.
The ongoing Israeli military campaign in Gaza has resulted in substantial casualties and destruction, with local health authorities reporting over 41,100 deaths and nearly 94,800 injuries among Palestinians, primarily women and children. The military actions have also attracted international scrutiny and accusations of genocide at the International Court of Justice.
