Political concerns about U.S. support for Israel delayed the deployment of experts charged with preventing the spread of infectious disease from Gaza to neighboring regions, according to four health experts, including three who spoke on the condition of anonymity to share internal discussions.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention plans to start sending experts to support the World Health Organization’s Cairo office next week after nearly three months of discussions with the WHO, which seeks to remain neutral in global conflicts and avoid the politicization of health issues. The delay drew consternation within the CDC as outbreaks of disease began to ravage a displaced population, according to internal communications shared with The Washington Post.