Israeli violations tantamount to agreement failure: Gaza Media Office

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen
16 Feb 2025 10:56

This comes as Israeli airstrikes east of Rafah killed three police officers deployed to secure aid distribution in the al-Shawka area.

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Bulldozers and trucks carrying caravans wait to enter Gaza at the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip, Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 (AP)

"Israel’s" refusal to allow the entry of mobile homes and heavy equipment to Gaza constitutes a clear violation of its commitments under the ceasefire agreement and its accompanying humanitarian protocol, underscored Salama Maarouf, the Director of the Government Media Office in Gaza.

In statements to Al Mayadeen, Maarouf emphasized that "Israel’s" refusal is tantamount to declaring the failure of the ceasefire agreement, despite the Palestinian Resistance’s commitment to its obligations as long as the occupation upholds its own.

He added that the Israeli occupation's actions are clear proof to the world which party is obstructing the agreement, underscoring the need for mediators to intervene and pressure "Israel" to fulfill its commitments.

Maarouf also highlighted that "the catastrophic living conditions endured by the Palestinian people in Gaza due to the genocide and humanitarian crisis cannot withstand further delays, evasion, or obstruction of the entry of shelter materials and other essential supplies."

The Palestinian official urged mediators and the international community to assume their responsibilities, respond immediately to Gaza’s urgent needs, and put an end to the ongoing suffering by compelling "Israel" to cease its violations and its exploitation of the plight of 2.4 million people in Gaza.

The Government Media Office in Gaza has repeatedly pointed out that "Israel" continues to stall and delay the implementation of the humanitarian protocol, while the humanitarian situation in Gaza deteriorates at an alarming rate.

Despite the entry of 801 aid trucks into the besieged Gaza Strip on Wednesday, humanitarian organizations warn that "Israel" continues to severely limit the flow of essential supplies, in violation of the ceasefire agreement with the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas.

According to the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the aid deliveries were made "through interactions with the Israeli authorities and the guarantors for the ceasefire deal." However, the agency cautioned that restrictions remain stringent, particularly on critical supplies like fuel and medical equipment.

It is noteworthy that Hamas intended to postpone the prisoner exchange set for February 15 due to the ongoing Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement before mediators intervened to overcome obstacles hindering the completion of the implementation of the ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement. The violations include Palestinians being shot at, tanks trespassing the permitted distance, and preventing the entry of heavy equipment, medical supplies, and caravans.

In a related context, three police officers people were killed in an Israeli airstrike that targeted them while they were deployed to secure aid distribution in the al-Shawka area, east of Rafah, this morning. Another Palestinian was killed in an Israeli drone strike in the same area.

The Ministry of Interior and National Security condemned the attack and called on mediators and the international community to pressure "Israel" to halt its targeting of the police force, which is a civilian body responsible for maintaining public security and organizing daily affairs.

Meanwhile, Al Mayadeen's correspondent reported that Israeli military vehicles opened fire along the Philadelphi Corridor in southern Rafah, south of the Gaza Strip.

Gaza Ministry of Public Works continues to assess destroyed, damaged housing units

On its part, the Gaza Ministry of Public Works and Housing stated that its teams have been conducting on-site preliminary assessments of fully demolished housing units and severely damaged, uninhabitable structures since the first day of the Israeli war on the Palestinian enclave.

The ministry noted that several of its finest personnel lost their lives while carrying out this work.

According to the ministry's estimates, the number of fully destroyed or severely damaged housing units is expected to exceed 280,000. So far, approximately 250,000 units have been documented in field assessments, including 170,000 that were completely demolished and 80,000 rendered uninhabitable.

The ministry affirmed that its teams remain on the ground, continuing the initial damage assessment for the housing sector, adding that the preliminary survey is expected to be completed within two weeks.

Following this, preparations will begin for a detailed assessment in coordination with international entities and reconstruction organizations. This comprehensive survey will cover all demolished and damaged housing units, including those that remain habitable despite partial damage.

The ministry added that in the coming days, and before the completion of the preliminary assessment, it will launch an inquiry link for residents to check the status of their fully or severely damaged homes.