Gaza Strip, Aug. 27 -- Athena Rayburn, Executive Director of the Association of International Development Agencies (AIDA), said Israeli restrictions had pushed humanitarian operations in Gaza to "an absolute breaking point".

Speaking at the UN Security Council on Wednesday, August 26, Rayburn said essential items, including scissors, crutches, wheelchairs and prosthetic limbs, were being rejected as "dual-use", while medical specialists faced restrictions on entering the enclave.

She said severe limits on engine oil had driven its price to 45 times normal levels, further crippling aid operations.

Rayburn also said Israel had blocked food items, including watermelons and onions, under an unpublished "humanitarian policy". She said Israe...