The Board of Peace, established by former U.S. President Donald Trump to oversee his Gaza peace plan, has called on Israel to expedite the delivery of humanitarian supplies following floods that inundated tens of thousands of tents in Gaza. The Israeli government has allowed the entry of temporary shelters and winter supplies but has emphasized that reconstruction can only commence once Hamas disarms completely. The UN reports that over 1.4 million people, approximately 65% of Gaza's population, now live in tents or makeshift shelters as a result of military actions by Israel. Aid efforts are reportedly being hampered by Israeli restrictions on the entry of supplies and equipment, as well as funding shortfalls. The UN's humanitarian coordinator has urged Israeli authorities to lift all restrictions on aid delivery, citing depleted stocks of essential shelter and winter items within Gaza. Israel maintains that Hamas is responsible for delays in the approval process, accusing the group of hoarding aid. Hamas denies these allegations and claims that Israeli restrictions are hindering the entry of materials necessary for shelter and recovery. The peace plan has stalled due to a dispute over whether Hamas must fully disarm before withdrawing from Gaza.
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The Board of Peace, formed under the leadership of former U.S. President Donald Trump, has issued a rare criticism of Israel, highlighting insufficient aid responses following floods in Gaza that affected thousands of displaced individuals living in tents. The United Nations reports that approximately 1.4 million people, representing around 65% of Gaza's population, are currently residing in temporary shelters or makeshift housing due to military actions by Israel. The Board has urged the Israeli government to swiftly authorize the delivery of essential goods for temporary shelter and water and sanitation infrastructure. Delays in approving these supplies have allegedly exacerbated the consequences of a foreseeable humanitarian challenge, as well as delayed the decommissioning of weapons and transfer of Hamas authority to a transitional government.
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Heavy rains and sewage overflow have caused further hardship for Gaza's displaced residents, with many reporting a lack of basic necessities such as food, bedding, and shelter. A woman and three children were tragically killed when a sand embankment collapsed onto tents in central Gaza, highlighting the urgency of the humanitarian crisis. The Board of Peace has emphasized that Israeli restrictions on the entry of supplies are hindering aid efforts and have been urged to lift these restrictions immediately. The UN's humanitarian agency OCHA reports that over 150,000 tents are ready for distribution but are currently held up by Israeli restrictions and funding shortfalls. The Israeli foreign ministry has countered these claims, stating that it has coordinated a winter plan in conjunction with the Board of Peace and international charities to provide over 91,000 tents and thousands of trucks filled with aid supplies.
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Hamas has denied responsibility for delays in the approval process for aid delivery and accused Israel of violations that have prevented the entry of materials necessary for shelter and recovery. The group also claims that the Board of Peace's criticism is misguided, as it should focus on its own "serious shortcomings" in implementing the peace plan. Under a deal to end the two-year-long war in 2025, Hamas agreed to relinquish governance and its weapons in exchange for a phased Israeli troop withdrawal from Gaza. However, Israel insists that Hamas must fully disarm before any withdrawal can occur. The ongoing dispute has stalled the next stages of the peace plan, with both sides pointing fingers at each other. The conflict began in October 2023 when Hamas launched attacks on Israel, resulting in over 1,200 fatalities and the displacement of thousands more. Since then, over 1,600 people have been killed in Gaza, according to the UN.