By Nadda O.

 

ISRAELI OCCUPIED GAZA, 29 Sept. - (ANA) - More than 900 wheelchairs donated by two Australian charities for wounded and amputee children in Gaza have been blocked by Israel from entering the enclave, with the shipments stuck in storage in Jordan since 2025 and staff from the charities calling on Australian members of parliament to intervene in the matter.

 

The charity Kids on Wheels Alliance sent two shipments that arrived in Jordan in February 2025, while another shipment from Wheelchairs for Kids arrived in October that year.

 

The wheelchairs remain at a storage facility managed by the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organisation (JHCO), which said COGAT, the Israeli defence ministry body that oversees the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza, had blocked their delivery.

 

Shaoquett Moselmane, the chair of the Kids on Wheels Alliance, told The New Arab that they have been raising funds for wheelchairs for over 15 years, with enormous efforts from local communities in covering the cost of the wheelchairs intended for Gaza. He added that the Palestine Australia New Zealand Medical Association (PANZMA) assisted with the shipping costs and delivery; however, Israel gave no reason, and "no security issues were raised," despite reports. 

 

"In any event, there could be no legitimate reason to hold up wheelchairs for children with special needs. No reason of any nature given as they are just wheelchairs for the thousands of amputee children and the thousands more in need of support," he said. 

 

"We have sought representations from Australian members of parliament at both house of reps and senate seeking their help to make high-level representations and doing what we can to alert people of this inhumane behaviour in the hope that Israeli authorities grant consent to deliver the wheelchairs," he continued. 

 

Moselmane said a community meeting was held on Wednesday to discuss further follow-up action, with many suggesting to take the issue up with local federal members, the Australian government, and the Jordanian government, as well as other authorities in the hope that enough pressure is exerted to move those containers to Gaza.

 

According to Moselmane, Israel blocking the shipment will affect over 11,000 children in Gaza. 

 

"The pain and suffering of the Palestinian people can not be ignored. Our humanity is at stake if people around the world don’t stand up and rally against the injustices perpetrated on the people of Palestine. They’ve suffered for over seven decades; this indignity of occupation and oppression must cease. For a peaceful future for all, humanity in Palestine must prevail".

 

Mohammad Helmy, a Melbourne-based pro-Palestine activist, told The New Arab that Israel's refusal to allow the wheelchairs into Gaza was intentional, accusing authorities of seeking to make life in the devastated enclave "impossible".

 

“Israel’s blockade of over 900 custom, all-terrain wheelchairs—hand-built by Australian volunteers to help amputee children navigate destroyed streets—exposes a calculated effort to destroy Palestinian life and render life in Gaza impossible,” Helmy said.

 

“By undertaking non-stop bombardment and then systematically denying the basic medical aid needed to survive it, Israel is actively executing an ongoing genocide. Trapping mobility gear in warehouses while children crawl through rubble is not a security measure—it is a deliberate policy of collective punishment and total destruction directed against the Palestinian people,” he continued.

 

The restrictions come as the UN has said Gaza has the largest group of child amputees in modern history as a result of Israel's attacks on the territory.

 

Greg Hebble, the CEO of Wheelchairs for Kids Australia, said their team is currently trying to figure out next steps, with the hopes that the wheelchairs reach people with difficult mobility challenges.

 

"We are currently working with our logistics, humanitarian and distribution partners to better understand the situation and explore all available avenues to facilitate the delivery of the wheelchairs. This includes seeking clarification regarding the reasons for the blockage and whether alternative pathways or approvals may be available," he said. 

 

"Should the shipment ultimately be denied entry, it would be deeply disappointing, particularly for the individuals who have been identified as recipients. We will continue to explore any lawful and practical options available to ensure this assistance reaches those most in need," he continued.

 

Hebble said that aside from the shipment leaving thousands without independence, social participation and access to essential services, a great deal of financial and logistical resources were put into making the delivery.

 

"Significant financial resources have been invested, along with countless hours of planning, coordination, sourcing, transportation and compliance work to ensure the Wheelchairs could reach those in need. The cost to our organisation to supply this shipment of Wheelchairs is more than $100k AUS," he said.

 

"Our message is a simple humanitarian one, people living with disability should never be forgotten. Regardless of geography, politics, or conflict, vulnerable children and civilians deserve access to equipment that supports their mobility, wellbeing and dignity," he continued. 

 

 

 

 

The JHCO said it filed an application in late February 2025 for the Kids on Wheels Alliance shipments to enter Gaza as part of an aid convoy, but COGAT rejected the request. According to reports, Israeli authorities said medical equipment and medicines had not been approved for inclusion in that convoy.

 

JHCO said its application has since remained "pending", with no further updates, leaving the organisation unable to submit a new application for the other shipments.

 

COGAT has not responded to media requests concerning the Australian donations. However, the Israeli agency has previously said that thousands of wheelchairs have been allowed into Gaza.

 

The wheelchairs donated by Wheelchairs for Kids are designed to withstand difficult terrain, including the rubble that now covers large parts of Gaza, and can be adjusted as children grow older and taller.

 

"The sooner they come out of there and get to the kids, the better, and the little kids can get a much better life," Brother Olly Pickett, co-founder of the charity, said in a statement.

 

"I think there's a lot of children waiting for them who have had amputations, and so they won't be able to walk around or get around. Once they get a wheelchair, they can get out and about, which would be wonderful,” he added.

 

Australian media reports, citing an informed source outside the region, said Israeli authorities had denied the wheelchairs entry because they considered them potentially "dual use", a classification applied to goods that authorities say could also have military applications.

 

Israeli rights group Gisha earlier this year published a report saying Israel had arbitrarily classified essential items, household goods and medical supplies as "dual use" since the start of the war on Gaza.

 

Items subjected to such restrictions have included flashlights, sleeping bags and portable toilets.

 

Rights groups have warned that restrictions on such goods have serious consequences for civilians, including tens of thousands of Palestinians attempting to recover from injuries and rebuild their lives amid the widespread destruction in Gaza. - (ANA) -

 

AB/ANA/29 September 2026  - - -