In his post on the social media platform of the US-based company X, Smotrich claimed that the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip will not begin until Hamas is completely disarmed.
Claiming that Hamas is solely responsible for the troubles experienced by the people of Gaza, Smotrich claimed that Israel's position is clear and unchangeable.
Smotrich argued that Gaza should be turned into a completely demilitarized zone and that the region would no longer pose a threat to Israel.
The Gaza Peace Board warned Israel of an "emergency" situation regarding the severe floods in the region and the approaching winter conditions and called on Israel to allow the necessary aid materials to enter Gaza.
"We call on the Israeli government to take immediate action and fully fulfill their commitments to allow the entry of winter preparation and humanitarian aid supplies." The board stated that Israel's steps to date are "still insufficient".
Hamas also argued that the Peace Council presented a "distorted narrative" regarding the causes of the flood in the Gaza Strip and stated that the council ignored the responsibility of Israel, which prevented the implementation of US President Donald Trump's plan and restricted the entry of aid.
70 thousand tents flooded in Gaza
Cold weather conditions accompanied by heavy rain and wind have continued to affect the Gaza Strip since November 6.
According to the data announced by the media office of the government in Gaza and the Civil Defense Directorate, 70 thousand tents and all the camps where the displaced people stayed were flooded due to adverse weather conditions.
While 4 houses and dozens of walls, which were heavily damaged in Israel's genocidal attacks, collapsed, it was reported that the condition of some Palestinians injured due to the adverse conditions was critical.
Approximately 2 thousand buildings may collapse at any time
In his previous statement, Gaza Ministry of Health Director General Munir al-Bursh warned that approximately 2 thousand buildings damaged in Israeli attacks could collapse at any time and fall on Palestinians living in or around them.
Burş said that families who could not leave their homes had to stay in these structures despite the danger to their lives because they could not find an alternative shelter or tent.
Destruction caused by Israeli attacks deepens the housing crisis
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 displaced Palestinians are struggling to survive in makeshift tents and temporary shelters as most of the residences have become unusable.
Heavy rains in Gaza flooded many tents housing displaced Palestinians, further worsening the already dire housing conditions.
Israel's restrictions on the entry of containers, 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.
It was announced that an agreement had been reached with Hamas to lay down arms
US President Donald Trump announced that the Peace Board had reached an agreement with Hamas and other armed groups in Gaza to lay down arms.
Hamas had stated that it was positive about the negotiation process with Palestinian groups and the suggestions offered by the mediators for the completion of the second phase.
Hamas had emphasized that it was essential for Israel to stop its attacks and to establish a timetable for the agreed upon issues, and that the implementation of the second phase depended on Israel fully fulfilling its obligations in the first phase.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that they rejected the 15-item plan announced by the Peace Board regarding the implementation of the second phase of the ceasefire in Gaza.
The first phase of the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip entered into force on October 10, 2025. Despite the agreement stipulating a ceasefire, prisoner exchange and increased humanitarian aid, Israel's attacks and restrictions on aid entry continued.
The UN estimates the cost of Gaza reconstruction at approximately $70 billion.
