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UN Convoy in Gaza Freed After Detention by Israel, According to Reuters

UNITED NATIONS/ JERUSALEM – A United Nations convoy and its staff, detained for more than eight hours by Israeli forces in northern Gaza, have been released, as confirmed by the head of the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA).

The Israeli military stated that the convoy was stopped after receiving intelligence suggesting that several "Palestinian suspects" were on board, prompting the need for questioning.

Philippe Lazzarini, head of UNRWA, reported that the convoy was halted at gunpoint shortly after passing the Wadi Gaza checkpoint, with threats directed at UN personnel. He noted that significant damage was inflicted on the UN armored vehicles by bulldozers during the incident. Fortunately, Lazzarini confirmed that all staff and the convoy are now safe at the UN base.

Previously, the Israeli military disputed claims regarding the convoy’s purpose, asserting that it was meant to "exchange U.N. personnel" rather than transport polio vaccines intended for children in Gaza.

The immunization campaign targeting 640,000 children in Gaza commenced on September 1, following reports from the World Health Organization (WHO) about a partially paralyzed infant infected with the type 2 polio virus, marking the first instance of such a case in the region in 25 years.

Lazzarini countered Israel’s statements, clarifying that the convoy was intended to facilitate the vaccination effort in Gaza City and northern Gaza. He expressed uncertainty about the resumption of the campaign in northern Gaza on Tuesday.

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