UNICEF Gaza chief Jonathan Veitch warns Israeli restrictions waste Canadian aid

Jonathan Veitch, head of UNICEF for the Palestinian territories, said Israeli attacks on water infrastructure and tight import controls are squandering Canadian humanitarian assistance in Gaza. After a five‑day visit to the strip in early July, he briefed officials in Ottawa, highlighting that the destruction of facilities such as the Canada Well and bans on generators, cement and other items hinder basic recovery.

Veitch described dire conditions: about 1.2 million Gazans confined to 30 % of the territory, living in tent camps plagued by waste, rats and insect infestations. Medical supplies are scarce, with limited access to antibiotics and testing reagents. He noted that nearly 300 children have been killed since the cease‑fire began last October, and a child is effectively lost each day. The situation remains “horrific,” he told reporters, urging the international community to allow essential reconstruction materials while maintaining humanitarian aid flows.

The remarks come as broader regional conflicts, including the U.S. war on Iran and Israel’s incursion into Lebanon, draw media attention away from Gaza’s ongoing crisis.