‘Israel delaying humanitarian provisions of Gaza cease-fire deal’

GAZA CITY, Palestine (AA) – The Gaza government has announced that Israel is delaying the implementation of the humanitarian provisions of the cease-fire agreement which came into effect on January 19.

Speaking at a press conference at the Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza City, Salama Marouf, head of the Gaza Government Media Office, said that “despite 20 days passing since the agreement, the humanitarian situation remains catastrophic due to Israeli obstruction.”

He explained that “the agreement mandates the daily entry of 600 aid trucks, including 50 fuel trucks, alongside the provision of 60,000 mobile housing units, 200,000 tents, generators, spare parts, solar panels, and materials for rebuilding Gaza.”

He added that “the deal also includes removing debris, rehabilitating health facilities, bakeries, and infrastructure, and ensuring the movement of patients and the injured through the Rafah crossing.”

However, according to Marouf, only 8,500 trucks have entered Gaza since January 19 — far below the 12,000 expected under the agreement.

He said the majority of these trucks contain food packages, fruits and vegetables, while critical aid such as shelter supplies and medical equipment is being deliberately delayed.

Marouf highlighted that “just 10% of the required tents have entered Gaza, and Israel has not allowed a single mobile housing unit to be delivered.”

Regarding fuel, he stated that only 15 trucks enter daily instead of the agreed 50, which severely impacts hospitals and essential public services.

The official also noted that international organizations informed Gaza authorities that “Israel is refusing to coordinate the entry of basic materials needed to repair water and sewage networks in northern Gaza.”

Marouf called on “the international community to take responsibility and not remain passive in the face of this humanitarian disaster,” warning that “Israel is using siege tactics as a form of genocide and ethnic cleansing against Palestinians.”

He also cautioned that “the lack of heavy machinery to clear 55 million tons of rubble is hampering efforts to recover bodies from under the debris.”

A cease-fire agreement took effect in Gaza on January 19, halting Israel’s genocidal war, which has killed nearly 47,600 Palestinians, most of them women and children, and left the enclave in ruins.

The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants in November last year for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.