Under criticism, PM’s office insists winter supplies entering Gaza but Hamas must disarm before reconstruction

After criticism from the US-backed Board of Peace and other countries over Israel’s restrictions on aid into the Gaza Strip, Interim Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office insists that Israel is doing what it can to allow winter equipment into Gaza, and that Hamas, not Israel, is not honoring its commitments.

“Israel is working in close cooperation with the United States and the Board of Peace,” the Prime Minister’s Office says in an English-language statement. “Israel is committed to the success of President Trump’s 20-point plan.”

The PMO stresses that, according to the plan, Hamas must give up its weapons before reconstruction in the Strip begins.

“Israel had hoped that Hamas would honor its commitment to disarm, demilitarize, step down from governance, and begin de-radicalizing Gaza,” it says. “To date, Hamas has not surrendered a single weapon, and it continues to hold the people of Gaza hostage to its terrorist rule.”

Netanyahu’s office points out that Hamas used materials meant for building Gaza’s infrastructure to build up its military force. “It used cement intended for homes to build terror tunnels, it turned water pipes into missile launchers, and it used sanitation pumps to manufacture rockets,” says Israel. “Hamas steals from Gazans to arm itself, systematically diverting humanitarian aid to military infrastructure while the United Nations and UNRWA turn a blind eye.”

“As long as Hamas remains in power, it will use every dual-use item entering Gaza to entrench its terror regime and expand its military arsenal,” says the PMO.

Australia, Denmark, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UK have been among countries calling on Israel to ease restrictions on dual-use items into Gaza.

Israel, says the PMO, “has allowed additional humanitarian supplies into Gaza to ease the winter conditions facing the people of Gaza. Through COGAT, Israel has facilitated a winterization plan in coordination with the Board of Peace, the United Nations, international organizations, and donor countries.”

The plan includes over 91,000 tents, more than 8,200 trucks of winter clothing and supplies, 12 trucks to remove sewage, and repairs to water and sewage infrastructure.

However, mobile homes, which aid groups say are the most necessary item for protection against heavy rainfall and winter conditions, are banned from entering the Strip.

Israel, pledges the PMO, “will continue to support winter preparedness in Gaza. Hamas must not be allowed to exploit humanitarian supplies and equipment to rebuild its terror capabilities.”

The PMO says that only Hamas “is responsible for the suffering of the people of Gaza.”

“Israel calls upon the mediators to demand that Hamas disarm immediately throughout Gaza, so that President Trump’s 20-point plan can be realized,” it says.