Gaza government's denial to Israel: 'Tel Aviv is trying to mislead the world public opinion'

In the statement made by the Winter Emergency Committee affiliated with the government in Gaza, the Israeli Prime Minister's Office reacted to the claims that "contribution and coordination was provided to the comprehensive preparation plan for the winter season, and the entry of humanitarian aid materials into the Gaza Strip was facilitated."

The statement stated that Israel's claims aim to mislead the international public and eliminate its legal and moral responsibility for the humanitarian disaster in the Gaza Strip.

It was noted in the statement that Israel continues to prevent rain-resistant tents, thermal insulation materials, rainwater drainage pumps, and civil defense and municipal equipment from entering Gaza, and it was emphasized that this situation condemned hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians to live in old tents that began to wear out and collapse with the first rains.

The statement noted that the materials allowed to enter Gaza were far below the need and emphasized that the products delivered to the region were merely cosmetic steps aimed at improving Israel's image in the international public.

In the statement, it was emphasized that the environmental and health disaster approaching with the winter season in Gaza should be prevented, and called on the international community and the United Nations (UN) to "put serious pressure on Israel to open the border gates immediately and unconditionally, and to ensure the entry of construction and shelter materials and the fuel required for municipal services."

More than 80 percent of the buildings in the Gaza Strip, where Israel has continued its attacks since October 2023, were destroyed or severely damaged. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians who have been forcibly displaced due to the majority of the residences becoming unusable are struggling to survive in makeshift tents and temporary shelters.

Heavy rains in Gaza flooded many tents housing displaced Palestinians, further worsening the already dire housing conditions. Israel's restrictions on the entry of container houses, tents, tarpaulins and basic humanitarian aid materials into the region make it difficult for Palestinians to be protected from cold weather and rains.

Israel's failure to fulfill its humanitarian obligations under the ceasefire agreement is also among the obstacles to meeting the shelter and reconstruction needs in the region.