“An entire population depends on humanitarian assistance for survival. Very little comes in and restrictions increase,” Lazzarini said in social media remarks on Monday.

“A truck loaded with aid has just been turned back because it had scissors used in children’s medical kits,” the UNRWA chief added.

“Medical scissors are now added to a long list of banned items the Israeli authorities classify as ‘for dual use’. The list includes basic and lifesaving items: from anesthetics, solar lights, oxygen cylinders and ventilators, to water cleaning tablets, cancer medicines and maternity kits,” he explained.

“The clearance of humanitarian supplies and the delivery of basic and critical items need to be facilitated and accelerated. The lives of 2 million people depend on that, there is no time to waste,” he stressed. (ILKHA)