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More 8,200 trucks carrying winter supplies have entered the Gaza Strip, along with over 91,000 tents, as Israel steps up preparations for colder weather, Israeli authorities have announced.
Supplies including tarpaulins, blankets, winter clothing and other essentials have been delivered as part of a preparedness plan coordinated with the Board of Peace, the United Nations, international organisations and donor countries, the IDF and Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (Cogat) said on Monday.
The Board of Peace said in a statement it was “deeply concerned” by flooding in Gaza that has left “displaced families already living in precarious conditions, exposed to cold and unsafe conditions.”
Israel’s humanitarian response has, to date, been “insufficient”, it said.
The IDF said in a statement: “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.”
Israel also said it had facilitated projects to improve water and sanitation infrastructure, including sewage removal and repairs to water networks. Twelve sewage vacuum trucks for the International Committee of the Red Cross have been approved, alongside 7,500 vaccine doses for Unicef and three mobile clinics for the International Medical Corps.
According to the IDF and Cogat, more than 850 requests covering tens of thousands of trucks carrying shelter, healthcare, water and sanitation equipment have been approved.
However, around half of the approved requests have not yet been carried out, because “the UN and international organisations have yet to transfer the requested equipment into the Strip, partly due to logistical and budgetary challenges unrelated to Israel,” the IDF said.
Israel also raised concerns that some equipment could be diverted by Hamas to rebuild its military capabilities, saying it was reviewing requests and considering alternative arrangements to address humanitarian needs while limiting potential misuse.
The announcement comes as international aid organisations warn about shortages of shelter, food and essential services, particularly as winter approaches.
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