Board of Peace Urges Israel to Admit Winter Supplies and Hamas to Disarm

The Board of Peace called on Israel on November 9 to authorize and facilitate the entry of winter shelter and humanitarian supplies into Gaza, while also demanding that Hamas surrender its weapons and governing authority. The Board urged implementation of commitments under the Gaza peace plan following flooding that it said had inundated tens of thousands of tents and makeshift shelters over the preceding two days. The Board said displaced families had lost possessions and faced cold conditions. It sought approvals for temporary shelters, water and sanitation infrastructure, waste management, drainage and sewage removal under the Sharm El-Sheikh Humanitarian Protocol. It acknowledged steps Israel and COGAT were considering but described the response as insufficient. “The time for assurances without implementation has passed,” the Board said. The statement accused Hamas of military activity in civilian areas and near Israeli positions, saying this endangered civilians and undermined humanitarian progress. It reiterated Hamas's responsibility for the October 7, 2023 attacks and called on the group to relinquish power to the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza. The Board also alleged that delays in Israeli approvals and implementation had worsened humanitarian conditions and delayed weapons decommissioning and the transfer of authority. Earlier on November 9, the IDF rejected Gaza Civil Defense spokesman Mahmoud Basal's allegation that Israel had barred flood-response equipment. The military cited more than 91,000 tents and 8,200 trucks carrying shelter and winter-preparation equipment admitted to Gaza. In its later statement, the Board called on the United Nations, its agencies and international donors to coordinate resources, supplies and operational support with it.