DayofPal– Gaza Government Media Office accused Israel on Friday of stalling the implementation of the ceasefire agreement, particularly the humanitarian provisions, despite the clarity of its terms and timelines.
Speaking at a press conference in Gaza City, Salama Maarouf, head of the media office, stated that the humanitarian aspect of the agreement represents the bare minimum of essential relief and shelter required to alleviate the suffering of Palestinians after 15 months of genocide and ethnic cleansing.
The agreement stipulates the entry of 600 aid trucks per day, including 50 fuel trucks, as well as the introduction of 60,000 mobile housing units, 200,000 tents for displaced people, generators and spare parts, solar panels, batteries, and reconstruction materials.
Additionally, it allows the entry of debris removal equipment, the rehabilitation of health facilities, bakeries, and infrastructure, and the facilitation of medical evacuations through the Rafah border crossing.
However, Maarouf emphasized that Israel is actively evading its commitments, particularly regarding humanitarian relief, and outlined several points demonstrating this failure.
Aid Shortages and Inadequate Supplies
Since the agreement took effect on January 19th, only 8,500 trucks have entered Gaza—far below the 12,000 that should have arrived by now. The situation is particularly dire in northern Gaza, where only 2,916 trucks have been delivered instead of the promised 6,000.
Furthermore, Maarouf highlighted that the majority of the aid consists of food parcels, vegetables, fruits, and secondary goods, rather than the prioritized shelter and medical supplies urgently needed.
Shortages in Shelter and Fuel
Regarding shelter, the demand is for 200,000 tents and 60,000 mobile homes, yet only 10% of the required tents have arrived, and not a single mobile home has been delivered. This leaves thousands facing harsh winter conditions without adequate protection.
Fuel supplies are also critically low. Despite a clear provision in the agreement for 50 fuel trucks per day, Gaza has received no more than 15 trucks daily. This shortage has worsened the electricity crisis and crippled hospitals and essential services.
Health Crisis Amid Infrastructure Breakdown
Maarouf accused Israel of blocking the entry of essential medical equipment, field hospitals, and medical delegations, exacerbating an already dire healthcare crisis.
He revealed that 100 children have died due to delays in medical evacuations, while 40% of kidney patients have perished because hospitals are unable to perform dialysis.
Additionally, Israel is preventing the entry of generators, solar panels, water tanks, and sanitation repair materials, further worsening public health and sanitation conditions in northern Gaza.
Call for International Action
Maarouf held Israel fully responsible for the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza and warned of worsening conditions if aid restrictions continue. He urged international mediators to pressure Israel into fulfilling its obligations, particularly regarding humanitarian relief.
He also called on the global community to take decisive action, rather than merely observing the humanitarian crisis from the sidelines. According to Maarouf, Israel is continuing its war on Palestinians in less visibly violent ways—through siege and deprivation.
He further demanded the swift organization of an international conference for Gaza’s reconstruction and immediate provision of humanitarian aid to support Palestinians and counteract efforts to displace them.
Maarouf also condemned Israel’s refusal to allow heavy machinery and equipment into Gaza for debris removal, which has left bodies trapped under rubble and roads impassable. He noted that this also hinders Palestinian efforts to retrieve Israeli captives killed in airstrikes.
With the humanitarian situation in Gaza deteriorating rapidly, calls for international intervention are growing louder, as the blockade and aid restrictions threaten to deepen an already devastating crisis.
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