The Trump-backed Board of Peace has issued a rare rebuke to Israel, urging the immediate delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza following heavy rainstorms that caused flooding and displacement. The floods destroyed thousands of tents in the war-torn region, affecting over 1.4 million people according to UN estimates. The Board expressed concern over the insufficient response from Israel's military agency, which has allowed only limited aid, citing delays as exacerbating the humanitarian crisis and delaying disarmament by Hamas and the transfer of power to a transitional government.
Despite Israeli claims that it has brought in over 91,000 tents and thousands of trucks filled with winter supplies, the Board argues that these efforts are not enough to address the immediate needs of displaced Gaza residents. The UN's humanitarian agency OCHA reports that over 150,000 tents are ready for distribution but are held back by Israeli restrictions on aid entry and funding shortfalls. The UN coordinator has called upon Israel to lift all restrictions on essential supplies, as stocks of shelter and winter items have been depleted.
In response to the Board's criticism, Hamas denies responsibility for the disaster and accuses Israel of violating ceasefire agreements. Egyptian, Qatari, and Turkish mediators have previously pointed fingers at Israel for breaching ceasefires. Hamas maintains that Israeli restrictions on aid entry prevent recovery efforts in Gaza. The Board, as the implementor of the ceasefire agreement, has been urged to address its own shortcomings in implementing the peace plan.
The ongoing dispute between Israel and Hamas over disarmament and withdrawal has stalled progress in the peace plan, with both sides blaming each other for delays. The conflict began in October 2023 when Hamas launched attacks on Israel, resulting in the deaths of around 1,200 people according to Hamas-run health ministry figures, which are considered reliable by the UN. Since the ceasefire in October 2022, over 1,600 people have been killed, with six Israeli soldiers reportedly losing their lives in Gaza since then.