Gaza Faces Crisis as Temporary Shelter Deliveries Lag
Three weeks into the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, the lack of sufficient temporary housing threatens to derail the fragile agreement. The ceasefire, which includes the entry of tents and pre-fabricated homes, has faced significant delays, causing tensions between the two sides.
Hamas has accused Israel of obstructing aid, delaying the release of three hostages as a result. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in response, warned that if Hamas does not continue releasing hostages as scheduled, Israel may withdraw from the ceasefire and resume military action.
Meanwhile, humanitarian organizations face logistical challenges in delivering temporary shelters to Gaza, where hundreds of thousands remain displaced. With efforts underway to resolve the dispute, mediators hope to restore stability before the truce collapses.
Ceasefire Agreement and Aid Commitments
The ceasefire deal stipulates that during its first 42-day phase, Israel must allow the entry of 60,000 temporary homes and 200,000 tents. Additionally, an agreed amount of heavy equipment for rubble removal is required.
The agreement also includes restoring electricity, water, and roads, overseen by the United Nations, Egypt, and Qatar. However, the UN warns that even clearing debris could take decades, especially if fighting resumes.
In exchange for these conditions, Hamas is expected to release 33 Israeli hostages, while Israel will free nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. So far, 16 hostages have been released, along with five Thai captives outside the deal’s terms.
Discrepancy in Shelter Deliveries
Hamas claims that only 20,000 of the required 200,000 tents have entered Gaza, and no pre-fabricated homes or heavy machinery have been allowed in. “Israel hasn’t let any temporary homes in and is not allowing entry of heavy machinery necessary to remove the rubble and recover dead bodies,” Hamas spokesperson Abdul Latif al-Qanou stated.
However, COGAT, the Israeli defense body coordinating aid deliveries, disputes this, claiming hundreds of thousands of tents have entered Gaza. Yet, independent reports from humanitarian organizations estimate only between 25,000 and 50,000 tents have arrived.
An Israeli official, speaking anonymously, acknowledged that around 30,000 tents had entered but confirmed that no pre-fabricated homes had been delivered as of Tuesday.
Challenges in Delivering Temporary Shelters
Aid organizations cite multiple reasons for the slow shelter deliveries. At the start of the ceasefire, humanitarian groups prioritized food and water over tents to address Gaza’s acute hunger crisis. “Humanitarian groups prioritized bringing in food during the first couple of weeks of the ceasefire to address Gaza’s acute starvation crisis,” explained Shaina Low of the Norwegian Refugee Council.
Another complication is the difficulty in transporting tents, as many displaced people are constantly moving. “Aid groups held back from sending tents immediately because people would have a hard time carrying them along with all their belongings,” Low added.
Tania Hary, director of the Israeli human rights organization Gisha, highlighted the logistical challenges, noting that “getting in 60,000 caravans is a huge production.”
Additionally, Israeli restrictions on “dual-use” items—materials that could be repurposed for military purposes—have slowed the approval process. Tents, mobile homes, and other essential supplies require security inspections, delaying their entry into Gaza.
Will the Ceasefire Hold?
Efforts are underway to resolve the dispute before it escalates further. Egyptian mediators believe a breakthrough is imminent, with Israel reportedly agreeing to accelerate the delivery of shelters and equipment.
However, concerns remain. Egypt and Qatar have warned Israel and the U.S. that the ceasefire could collapse if all parties do not uphold their commitments. Whether the truce holds depends largely on whether aid delivery can meet Gaza’s urgent needs and whether Hamas resumes hostage releases as agreed.