Israel has continued to block the entry of temporary housing into the Gaza Strip despite agreeing to allow the deliveries as part of the hostage and ceasefire deal, Middle East Eye reported on Monday.
Under the deal, Israel agreed to allow 200,000 tents and 60,000 mobile homes in Gaza, but so far, only 20,000 tents have entered, and no mobile homes have been allowed in. Tens of thousands of mobile homes are stuck at the Rafah crossing in Egypt.
The Times of Israel reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not given approval for the entry of mobile homes and construction equipment needed to clear the rubble. The report acknowledged that the move was a “potential breach of the ceasefire.”
According to Al Jazeera, a spokesman for Netanyahu admitted Israel was blocking the entry of the mobile homes, saying Israel would use “any leverage” it has to ensure Hamas releases hostages under the first phase of the ceasefire deal. But the strategy may backfire since Hamas threatened to postpone Saturday’s hostage release over Israel’s ceasefire violations.
Palestinians in Gaza told Al Jazeera that mobile homes were needed due to the conditions of their tents. “Tents are flooded with rain and sewerage water. We are soaked in waste water. Our children are getting sick. Those readymade homes would solve some of our many problems,” said Umm Mohammed Selemy, a resident of north Gaza.
Israeli forces have also continued to bomb and shoot Palestinians in Gaza despite the ceasefire deal, killing around 100 since the truce went into effect on January 19. The Israeli military said on Monday that its fighter jets targeted a vehicle traveling from north Gaza to central Gaza, claiming it was “on a route not approved for vehicle traffic.”
A day earlier, an Israeli drone strike killed three police officers near the southern city of Rafah. Gaza’s Health Ministry said the officers were in the area to secure aid shipments.
