Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor
GAZA CITY — Israel’s actions against the activities of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Gaza raise serious concern, representing a new episode in a systematic policy aimed at undermining humanitarian work and ending the presence of UN and international organisations in the Gaza Strip.
On Thursday, Israeli forces arrested UNICEF staff member Raed Al-Afifi, 45, at Kerem Shalom crossing while he was carrying out his official duties, despite being present with prior coordination. No information has been provided by Israeli authorities regarding his location or the charges against him.
In a related development, the Israeli army had requested the agency to withdraw its trucks and supplies from Kerem Shalom a day before the arrest and subsequently prevented the entry of aid trucks carrying medical equipment for hospitals in northern Gaza, as well as vaccinations for newborns and nutritional supplements.
These measures deliberately obstruct humanitarian relief efforts and target an organisation that currently plays a central role in Gaza’s humanitarian work, managing vital projects in health, education, child protection, and infrastructure rehabilitation.
The targeting of UNICEF is part of a broader campaign to restrict United Nations agencies and international humanitarian organisations, aiming to end their presence and operations after they witnessed widespread violations affecting Palestinian civilians during the war, and to further deprive the population of livelihoods and essential services in Gaza.
Immediate action by the international community and the United Nations is urgently needed to ensure the protection of humanitarian workers, guarantee free access for aid to civilians, and halt all Israeli measures designed to starve the population and silence international witnesses of what is happening in the Gaza Strip.
