DaysofPal – A report by the Los Angeles Times states that Israeli authorities have prevented the delivery of cold medicines intended for children in the Gaza Strip, citing concerns that one of the ingredients, glycerin, could be used by Palestinian armed groups to manufacture weapons.
The newspaper noted that no evidence has been presented to demonstrate that resistance groups are capable of extracting glycerin from such medicines for military purposes. Despite the lack of proof, the shipments remain blocked.
According to the report, about 15,000 boxes of cold medicine and other essential pediatric treatments have been held in storage warehouses in Gaza for more than five months. The supplies are awaiting approval from Israeli authorities, a clearance that appears unlikely to be granted in the near future.
Israeli officials reportedly classify cold medicines as a “potential weapon,” arguing that the products could theoretically be diverted for military use. The report points out that no scientific findings support this claim.
Humanitarian organizations also face difficulty identifying acceptable alternatives. Israeli authorities have declined to specify the permissible level of glycerin in medical products, leaving aid groups uncertain about which medicines could be approved for entry.
With the supplies remaining inaccessible, children in Gaza continue to experience shortages in basic healthcare, worsening an already fragile public health situation in the territory.
The report adds that the Israel Defense Forces operate a complex regulatory system that slows the delivery of humanitarian assistance to Palestinians, including items considered essential for survival.
Independent human rights activist Amid Khan said he encountered major obstacles while attempting to deliver medical supplies, food, and tents to Gaza. He attributed the difficulties to shifting and complicated Israeli regulations governing aid shipments.
Khan explained that certain relief items are rejected on the grounds that they might have military applications. Tents and protective vests have been among the materials barred from entry, even though their intended purpose is humanitarian relief.
The report concludes that such policies are arbitrary and have deepened the suffering of Palestinian families. It adds that the restrictions place heavy pressure on civil society organizations while contributing to a humanitarian crisis whose scale is difficult to measure.
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