PM’s spokesman implies gaps remain over deal: ‘There is no entry of mobile homes, heavy equipment into Gaza’

A spokesman for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says that mobile homes and heavy equipment are not entering Gaza, after Hamas said it would continue with the release of hostages after an agreement had been reached on aid entering the Strip.

According to Al Jazeera, mobile homes and heavy equipment will be allowed into the Strip today. Hamas has been protesting that Israel was blocking their entry and said earlier today that talks to get the ceasefire-hostage deal back on track had included discussions on a number of specific items, including the homes and equipment.

Al Jazeera broadcast images of trucks waiting to enter Gaza, apparently carrying mobile homes and earth-moving equipment.

However, the Prime Minister’s Office issues a denial, saying the Al Jazeera report is “fake news” and “there is no basis” to it.

Netanyahu’s spokesman Omer Dostri follows up with a clarification that “there is no entry of mobile homes or heavy equipment into Gaza, and there is no coordination for it.”

He adds that, in accordance with the agreement, no goods are moving through the Rafah crossing into Gaza. It is unclear why he mentions Rafah. Aid trucks are in fact using the Kerem Shalom entry point pending completion of maintenance and repair work at the Rafah border crossing into southern Gaza from Egypt.

Hamas announced today that it will carry out its obligations and release hostages according to the previously agreed-on timeline, after saying earlier this week that it was freezing releases until further notice.