Media: Israel restricts entry of medical equipment to Gaza over dual-use concerns

Israel has restricted the entry of various medical and humanitarian items into the Gaza Strip, citing concerns that they may be classified as “dual-use” – goods that could be repurposed for military or operational use by Hamas or other armed groups. 

A list from June, obtained by Haaretz includes a range of essential equipment for the health system in Gaza, such as operating tables, surgical tools, and ultrasound components, as well as items that could be used for building civilian shelters, Caliber.Az reports.

Aid organisations submitted requests to transfer the equipment after a complete ban on item entry was imposed at the start of the war, apart from a limited list approved by Israel's security agencies. 

The expanded list, which was not approved, included tents, tarpaulins, storage units, solar panels, fire extinguishers, batteries, and more. 

Other restricted items included generators, structures for mobile clinics, vehicle and office communication devices, steam cleaners, folding aluminium ladders, metal cabinets, tools, ropes, and brass locks.

Medical equipment denied entry included operating tables, surgical knives, carts for anaesthetic drugs, ultrasound probes, inhalation devices for respiratory care, blood analysis kits, vaccine freezers, sterilisation machines, orthopaedic kits with braces and bone plates, and blood refrigerators. 

For extended periods, organisations also faced difficulties importing metal-based mobility aids such as wheelchairs, walkers, and crutches.

By Aghakazim Guliyev