Israel denies UN and Redcross aid convoys access to south Lebanon

SIX UN and Red Cross convoys destined for southern Lebanon were delayed yesterday after failing to receive security clearance from Israeli military forces, although another convoy reached the besieged town of Qana.

Lebanon’s fuel shortages, meanwhile, were a new threat to aid deliveries to the hundreds of thousands of displaced Lebanese. Relief agencies have appealed to Israel to allow oil shipments to Lebanese ports.

“Our convoy movements are being hampered, leaving people in the south stranded for nearly three weeks,” said Amer Daoudi, emergency coordinator for the World Food Programme (WFP).