Israeli Security Threatened by Toilet Paper

These banned basic food staples, UNOCHA added, were in addition to a list of toys intended for UNICEF’s rehabilitation program for children also prohibited by Israel from entering the Strip.

“European diplomats have asked Israel to allow pasta and jam into Gaza, but not cement and construction materials,” Bashi added, noting that the European Commission needs to pressure Israel to include basic building materials as well.

“The United Nations called for an increase in the quality and quantity of [building, food and humanitarian] materials going into Gaza,” said Jerusalem-based Allegra Pacheco, deputy chief of UNOCHA. The region is in desperate need of fuel, spare parts, construction materials and cash, she added.

El Shiekh agreed. “Bar soap and liquid soap, in addition to diapers for babies—none of these are available in the market. It’s just in the past few days we’ve finally started to see toilet paper entering Gaza!” she said. “What is the significance of not allowing laundry detergent into Gaza?” she wondered, noting that the lack of cooking gas also presents serious problems. More