UN says 150,000 tents await Israeli approval outside Gaza

The United Nations has revealed that more than 150,000 tents purchased by humanitarian partners and member states are currently awaiting Israeli approval to enter Gaza. The figure encompasses 117,000 tents from the Egyptian Relief Committee in El Arish, according to UN deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq. Haq stated that the main hindrance to transporting the tents is the need for Israeli authorities to grant the necessary permissions.

He further elaborated that the time taken for the tents to reach those in need will depend on the level of access to the crossing points and the efficiency of the procedure. UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher expressed frustration over the delays caused by the formation of a new Israeli government, emphasizing that international humanitarian law cannot be used as an excuse for such delays.

Fletcher detailed a comprehensive plan for the essential winter supplies required, which includes durable shelter, warm clothes, blankets, bedding, safe heating solutions, generators, fuel, engine oil, spare parts, and equipment necessary for water extraction, debris removal, and clearing explosive ordnance. He stressed that there is no justification for further delays and urged the opening of all crossings, enabling NGOs to function and commercial markets to operate.

Furthermore, Fletcher highlighted the worsening sanitation crisis due to the war, noting that no wastewater treatment plant in Gaza is currently operational. He also mentioned that UNICEF has been seeking approval from Israeli authorities for over a year to bring in the equipment needed to repair a wastewater treatment facility.