UN Staff in Gaza Released; UNRWA Chief Doubts Continuation of Polio Vaccination

The head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) announced that Israel released a convoy of vehicles and staff from the agency after several hours. He expressed doubts about the continuation of the polio vaccination campaign in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli army announced on Monday, September 9, that it had detained the convoy after receiving information about the covert entry of 'Palestinian suspects' into the UN convoy and interrogated UN staff. The Israeli army also expressed doubts about whether the vehicles were carrying polio vaccines. According to Philippe Lazzarini, the head of UNRWA, Israel released the detained convoy 'after more than eight hours,' and 'all staff and the convoy are now free and have safely returned to the UN base.' Mr. Lazzarini wrote on the social media platform X that the convoy was stopped 'right after the checkpoint in Wadi Gaza and under the threat of detaining UN staff,' and 'heavy damage was inflicted on UN armored vehicles by bulldozers.' Previously, the Israeli army had denied reports that the vehicles were carrying polio vaccines for children in Gaza, stating that the convoy's purpose was to transport UN staff. The head of UNRWA described the events of Monday as 'the latest instance of a series of violations against UN staff' and stated that he could not confirm whether vaccination would continue in northern Gaza on Tuesday. Following the confirmation of a newborn in Gaza contracting polio, the UN prepared a campaign to vaccinate 640,000 Palestinian children, and vaccination began on September 2 after receiving Israel's approval.