UN countries urge Israel's incoming government to open Gaza to unrestricted aid

Aid expert Lihi Levian Joffe has criticized Israel's distribution of waterproof tents in Gaza, stating that they fall short of providing adequate shelter for Palestinians. Joffe, coordinator of the Israeli Forum of Experts and Civil Society for Humanitarian Aid to Gaza, argues that the tents allowed into Gaza are only a small improvement over traditional camping tents and have a maximum lifespan of only six months.

She contends that the tents are not designed for continuous living conditions and quickly deteriorate, especially when moved for practical reasons. Despite the availability of alternative materials such as large plastic-covered areas, Israel continues to block many of these items due to concerns over their potential dual-use capabilities.

Meanwhile, Hamas has been accused of weaponizing the humanitarian crisis and preparing public relations materials to criticize Israel. However, aid expert Lihi Levian Joffe acknowledges that Hamas has also been criticized for exaggerating certain claims and repeating statistics in a self-serving manner. The US Board of Peace, which took a more critical stance towards Israel in this matter, has called for Israel to allow the construction of new neighborhoods in Gaza, which could provide better living conditions for Palestinians in the long term.