Tel Aviv: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declined to authorize the entry of mobile homes and heavy equipment into the Gaza Strip, despite an existing ceasefire agreement, Israeli media reported on Sunday.
According to Anadolu Agency, the Israeli public broadcaster, Netanyahu has rejected the access of heavy machinery necessary for clearing the rubble of destroyed buildings in the enclave, citing an unnamed Israeli source.
Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have been rendered homeless following Israel's recent military operations, which have resulted in the deaths of over 48,200 individuals, predominantly women and children, leaving Gaza in a state of devastation. The Gaza government media office confirmed that mobile homes and heavy machinery remain barred from entering the enclave.
"Israel's failure to uphold its obligations under the agreement and the humanitarian protocol poses a significant challenge to mediators, who must exert more pressure on the occupation to ensure that these commitments are honored," stated Ismail al-Thawabtah, head of the media office, to Anadolu. He further emphasized that "the Israeli occupation is still stalling the entry of essential equipment into the enclave, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis."
Thawabtah highlighted that "to date, no mobile homes (caravans) or heavy machinery necessary for the reconstruction of infrastructure destroyed by Israel have reached the Gaza Strip." He urged the international community to "apply real pressure on Israel to force compliance with the terms of the agreement."
In a related development, the Palestinian resistance group Hamas released three Israeli captives on Saturday after receiving assurances from mediators about the removal of obstacles to the entry of mobile homes for displaced civilians and heavy equipment needed for clearing rubble. Local Palestinian authorities have accused Israel of breaching the humanitarian protocol of the Gaza ceasefire deal by denying access to relief materials, including tents and caravans for displaced civilians in Gaza.
As part of the first phase of the Gaza agreement, which commenced on January 19, nineteen Israeli captives and five Thai workers were released in exchange for 1,135 Palestinian prisoners. Furthermore, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants last November for Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Israel is also facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its actions in the enclave.