Unicef announced, this Friday (23), to AFP that it managed to take notebooks, pencils, markers and other drawing utensils to the Gaza Strip, in the first supply of recreational material for children in more than two years in this Palestinian territory. “Since January 15, 5,168 recreational activity kits have been authorized to enter, intended for more than 375 thousand children, including a thousand children with disabilities”, informs the United Nations Children’s Fund in a statement.
These supplies occur at times when Israeli authorities impose restrictions on the entry of goods into Palestinian territory due, according to them, to security concerns. Since the beginning of the war, triggered by the attack by the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas on Israel on October 7, 2023, humanitarian organizations present in Gaza have reported greater obstacles to the transport of goods needed for their aid operations, including material intended for activities for children.
Questioned by AFP, the Israeli Ministry of Defense body that oversees civil activities in the Palestinian territories (Cogat) said that, for now, it cannot comment. Unicef’s announcement comes after the United States announced, in mid-January, the launch of phase 2 of American President Donald Trump’s peace plan for Gaza, amid a fragile truce, in force since October.
*With information from AFP
