While aid cargo is entering Gaza, restrictions on \u201cdual-use\u201d items, including equipment needed to dispose of unexploded ordnance, continue to constrain the humanitarian response, UN humanitarians said.<\/p>\n
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said limitations on the entry of items classified as dual-use or non-humanitarian remain a major obstacle, particularly for bomb clearance, demining and recovery operations. Equipment required to clear unexploded ordnance has not been approved for entry, despite growing risks to civilians and aid workers.<\/p>\n
OCHA said UN teams collected fuel, food, medical supplies, clothing and other relief items on Wednesday from Gaza\u2019s two operational cargo crossings, Kerem Shalom\/Karem Abu Salem and Zikim.<\/p>\n
Mine action partners warned that the absence of clearance equipment is contributing to a worsening safety crisis. According to OCHA, more than a dozen accidents injuring over 30 people have already been reported in 2026.<\/p>\n
Last week, mine action teams conducted explosive-ordnance risk education sessions for more than 12,000 people in Gaza City, Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis.<\/p>\n
The UN office said that without authorization to bring in specialized equipment, efforts remain limited to awareness campaigns rather than full-scale physical risk reduction and disposal operations.<\/p>\n
Despite operational constraints, other humanitarian services continue. Partners working on gender-based violence reported assistance to nearly 8,000 people, including mental health support, legal awareness, reproductive health services, and protection services against exploitation and abuse. Aid agencies also distributed cash assistance and hygiene supplies for women and girls.<\/p>\n
OCHA further reported renewed incidents of violence this week, including Israeli strikes and shelling affecting residential areas. It said two people, including a toddler, were wounded in Jabalya Camp after a UN school sheltering displaced people was hit.<\/p>\n
In the occupied West Bank, displacement is also increasing. About 150 people were displaced in the first two weeks of April, bringing the total number of Palestinians displaced in 2026 to more than 2,500, including over 1,100 children. Displacements were linked to settler violence, access restrictions, demolitions and evictions.<\/p>\n
OCHA reiterated that civilians and civilian infrastructure, including shelters, schools and humanitarian sites, must be protected under international humanitarian law.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
While aid cargo is entering Gaza, restrictions on \u201cdual-use\u201d items, including equipment needed to dispose of unexploded ordnance, continue to constrain the humanitarian response, UN humanitarians said. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said limitations on the entry of items classified as dual-use or non-humanitarian remain a major obstacle, particularly for […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":73769,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[30,17],"tags":[],"ppma_author":[213],"class_list":{"0":"post-73768","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-latest","8":"category-world"},"yoast_head":"\n