IDF confirms entry of tents, winter supplies into Gaza after Hamas blames Israel for conditions

The IDF confirmed the entry of over 91 thousand tents and over 8,200 trucks carrying winter supplies into the Gaza Strip on Monday, following a Sunday statement by security officials rebuffing Hamas criticism over weather conditions damaging tents.

"While Hamas refuses to disarm and continues to exploit civilian areas and humanitarian aid for terrorist activity, the IDF and COGAT are proactively working to improve the humanitarian response in the Gaza Strip ahead of winter," the IDF stated.

In addition to the tents and winter supplies, the IDF detailed other humanitarian projects being conducted in the Gaza Strip, including efforts to improve water and sanitation infrastructure.

Twelve sewage vacuum trucks for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) had been allowed entry, the IDF said, as well as approval for 7,500 vaccine doses for UNICEF and three mobile clinics for the International Medical Corps (IMC).

The IDF and  the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) have approved over 850 requests covering tens of thousands of trucks with winter supplies entering into Gaza, the IDF stated, but approximately 50% of the equipment had yet to be actually transferred "partly due to logistical and budgetary challenges unrelated to Israel."

The military also said that it, alongside COGAT, was "reviewing the equipment and advancing alternatives that will address humanitarian needs while minimizing the possibility of its exploitation by Hamas."

The Gaza Board of Peace (BoP) also described the humanitarian situation in Gaza on Monday, saying that "significant humanitarian progress" had been achieved.

The BoP added, however, that the steps taken by the Israeli government and COGAT were "insufficient," and called on Israeli leadership to increase the entry of supplies into Gaza.

At the same time, the BoP also condemned Hamas for endangering civilians through its military actions, and called on its leaders to disarm the group and transfer authority to the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG).

Security officials reject blame toward Israel over flooding in Gaza

After heavy rains caused flooding and swept away tents in Gaza on Saturday, Hamas blamed Israel for the situation.

Security officials rejected the criticism on Sunday morning, saying that as part of preparations for winter weather, COGAT, BoP, and the UN had already transported a variety of supplies to the enclave.

Meanwhile, security officials asserted that as long as Hamas refuses to disarm and the Gaza Strip is not demilitarized, equipment for the reconstruction of buildings in Gaza and mobile homes will not be allowed in.