Israel Defense Forces ✔

IDF: Winter Preparations in the Gaza Strip Continue: Over 91,000 Tents and More Than 8,200 Trucks Carrying Winter Supplies Have Entered the Strip While Hamas refuses to disarm and continues to exploit civilian areas and humanitarian aid for terrorist activity, the IDF and COGAT are proactively working to improve the humanitarian response in the Gaza Strip ahead of winter. In recent months, the IDF and COGAT have been advancing a winter preparedness plan in coordination with the Board of Peace and in cooperation with the UN, international organizations, and donor countries. Since the implementation of the plan began, more than 91,000 tents and over 8,200 trucks carrying tarpaulins, blankets, winter clothing, and other additional supplies have entered the Gaza Strip. In addition, the IDF and COGAT are advancing projects to improve water and sanitation infrastructure, including sewage removal and improvements to water networks, as well as facilitating the entry of 12 sewage vacuum trucks for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). In the medical sector, the entry of 7,500 vaccine doses for UNICEF and three mobile clinics for the International Medical Corps (IMC) has been approved, alongside medications, medical equipment, and fuel for hospitals and medical facilities throughout the Strip. The IDF and COGAT have approved more than 850 requests covering tens of thousands of trucks, carrying winter-specific supplies: shelter, water, sanitation, and healthcare. Regarding approximately 50% of the approved requests, the UN and international organizations have yet to transfer the requested equipment into the Strip, partly due to logistical and budgetary challenges unrelated to Israel. The UN and international organizations acknowledge that they cannot guarantee that certain equipment they seek to bring into Gaza will not reach Hamas. The IDF and COGAT cannot ignore the known risk of terrorist organizations rebuilding their capabilities. Accordingly, the IDF and COGAT are reviewing the equipment and advancing alternatives that will address humanitarian needs while minimizing the possibility of its exploitation by Hamas. The IDF and COGAT will continue working to improve the humanitarian response and prepare the population for winter, while preventing these efforts from being exploited to rebuild the capabilities of terrorist organizations. Attached are photographs of the equipment that has entered the Gaza Strip: https://IDFANC.activetrail.biz/ANC1108202645678