Israel announced on Tuesday that it is suspending the entry of aid transported by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) from Egypt to the Gaza Strip, citing an attempt at smuggling. The statement added that this suspension will continue «until the organization provides comprehensive investigation summaries, in addition to an official response on this matter». The Israeli government's coordination body for activities in the Palestinian territories (COGAT) said in a statement that it took this action «following an attempt to smuggle tobacco and nicotine in aid shipments coming from Egypt and coordinated by UNICEF». It noted that this attempt was intercepted on Tuesday at the Kerem Shalom crossing.
