COGAT, the Israeli agency responsible for coordinating the inspection and delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, has refuted claims that it is preventing medical specialists from entering the enclave.
Earlier on Friday, the World Health Organization (WHO) told CNN that over 50 specialist medical personnel were blocked from entering Gaza between August and October. In response, COGAT stated, “Israel does not restrict the number of humanitarian teams allowed into Gaza, subject to security-related technical arrangements.”
COGAT emphasized that “significant efforts” have been made to facilitate the entry of medical teams, including temporary modifications to the Kerem Shalom Crossing, the primary entry point for aid into southern Gaza. Since the start of the conflict last October, 2,727 trucks carrying medical supplies have entered the territory.
It’s important to note that last week, a United Nations inquiry accused Israel of deliberately targeting Gaza’s healthcare infrastructure in what it described as potential war crimes during the ongoing conflict with Hamas.
In its Friday statement, COGAT reiterated, “Israel does not limit the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza through its territory by international organizations and the global community. However, due to the fluid combat situation, adjustments are made to entry arrangements to both facilitate aid delivery and prevent its exploitation by terrorist groups in the Strip.”
COGAT also affirmed its continued cooperation with the international community.
Hamas says hostages won’t return until Gaza war ends, Israel withdraws and Palestinian prisoners are released
Hamas will not release Israeli hostages until Israel halts its military actions in Gaza, withdraws completely from the enclave, and releases Palestinian prisoners, senior Hamas official Khalil Al-Hayya stated in a televised speech.
Al-Hayya, who has played a key role in ceasefire negotiations and discussions on hostage release, also paid tribute to the slain Hamas leader, Yahya Sinwar. “We mourn the great leader, the martyr Yahya Al Sinwar… who died as a hero martyr, fighting and resisting the occupation forces until his final moments,” Al-Hayya said.
Israel’s stance: Despite the killing of Sinwar raising hopes for a possible end to the conflict, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized on Thursday that the war is far from over. “Today, evil has suffered a heavy blow, but our mission is not yet complete,” Netanyahu remarked.
Israeli officials still have concerns following news of Sinwar’s death, investigative journalist says
While many Israelis have expressed satisfaction over the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, New York Times Magazine writer Ronen Bergman noted that Israeli military and intelligence leaders remain concerned.
Bergman explained that officials worry Sinwar’s death “will not bring an end to the war” and that it “won’t resolve the fate of the 100 hostages, both dead and alive, still held by Hamas in Gaza.”
“These concerns are directed at the Israeli government and Prime Minister,” Bergman told CNN’s Christiane Amanpour. “There’s a fear that this won’t even serve as a symbolic victory, and the conflict will continue.”
Bergman did suggest that Sinwar’s death could potentially lead to “another round of talks” concerning a ceasefire.
He also mentioned that Israel had made several previous attempts to kill Sinwar. On Wednesday night, Israeli forces used artillery and drones to target locations where Sinwar and other Hamas leaders were believed to be hiding. “When they approached, they found two bodies, though a third remains unaccounted for or may have escaped,” Bergman said, adding that one of the bodies bore a “striking resemblance” to Sinwar.
“At that point, they began running tests to confirm his identity,” Bergman added.
