The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has accused Israel of attempting to evade responsibility for Gaza’s deepening humanitarian catastrophe by claiming to coordinate with international organizations, while continuing to block the entry of essential shelter supplies and reconstruction materials into the besieged enclave.

In a statement issued Sunday, Hamas said Israel’s claims of addressing Gaza’s humanitarian needs were contradicted by the devastating flooding of displacement camps, where approximately 70,000 tents were inundated following the first major winter storm, leaving hundreds of thousands of Palestinians exposed to increasingly dangerous living conditions.

The Movement described Israel’s contacts with international organizations as an attempt to shift responsibility for a crisis resulting from its ongoing blockade, restrictions on humanitarian assistance, and widespread destruction of homes and civilian infrastructure.

Flooded displacement camps expose Gaza’s humanitarian catastrophe

Hamas said images of flooded camps following days of heavy rainfall and strong winds laid bare the dire conditions facing displaced Palestinian families and exposed the gap between Israeli claims of humanitarian coordination and realities on the ground.

The Movement stressed that Israeli restrictions continue to prevent the entry of tents, prefabricated housing units, construction materials, and equipment urgently needed to address Gaza’s devastating shelter crisis.

It said Israel could not conceal its responsibility for the suffering of displaced Palestinians through statements portraying its actions as humanitarian efforts, pointing instead to the destruction of residential neighborhoods and essential infrastructure, the continued blockade, and deliberate delays in implementing the humanitarian provisions of the ceasefire agreement.

Hamas rejects political and security conditions on humanitarian aid

Hamas categorically rejected attempts to tie Gaza’s reconstruction and the delivery of essential humanitarian supplies to political or security conditions.

The Movement emphasized that access to shelter, food, medicine, and dignified living conditions constitutes a fundamental humanitarian right that must never be exploited as an instrument of political pressure or bargaining.

It called on mediators, guarantor countries, and the Board of Peace to fulfill their responsibilities by exerting effective pressure on Israel to implement its commitments, particularly those stipulated in the humanitarian protocol of the ceasefire agreement.

Hamas also demanded that the Palestinian national committee be permitted to enter Gaza and immediately begin carrying out its responsibilities.

It further called for the lifting of restrictions on humanitarian assistance, shelter supplies, and materials required to repair damaged homes and restore essential infrastructure.

Calls for an end to Gaza blockade and collective punishment

The Movement urged immediate international intervention to end Israel’s blockade and what it described as its policy of collective punishment against Gaza’s Palestinian population.

It called for urgent measures to ensure the delivery of essential relief supplies to hundreds of thousands of families enduring cold weather, torrential rainfall, and prolonged displacement.

Hamas warned that the approaching winter would further intensify the suffering of displaced Palestinians unless restrictions on humanitarian and shelter supplies were lifted.

Winter storm floods around 70,000 displacement tents

Meanwhile, Gaza’s Civil Defense reported that approximately 70,000 tents were flooded after a powerful weather system brought heavy rainfall and strong winds to the besieged territory over the past two days.

The flooding affected displacement camps and temporary shelters across several areas, particularly low-lying and coastal locations, leaving hundreds of families struggling to find refuge.

Floodwaters soaked mattresses, blankets, clothing, and other essential belongings, further worsening the already desperate conditions of Palestinians forced from their homes by Israel’s genocidal military offensive.

Emergency response operations have been severely hampered by destroyed infrastructure and critical shortages of equipment, shelter materials, and humanitarian supplies.

Hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians remain trapped in worn-out tents and overcrowded shelters that provide little protection against heavy rain, powerful winds, and falling temperatures.

As winter approaches, fears are mounting that further storms could trigger additional flooding, displacement, and potentially life-threatening conditions for Gaza’s already devastated population. (ILKHA)