Danon Rejects Fletcher’s Accusations Over Gaza Winter Aid

Israel’s UN ambassador Danny Danon criticized UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher on November 11 over his demands for winter assistance to Gaza. Danon accused Fletcher of repeatedly changing the accusations he directs at Israel, from genocide and starvation to responsibility for a winter humanitarian crisis. “Mr. Fletcher, every year, you try to reinvent your false campaign against Israel,” Danon wrote. He said Israel facilitates the entry of humanitarian-aid trucks into Gaza every day. Danon blamed Hamas for obstructing reconstruction and accused Fletcher of leaving the terrorist organization out of his statements. Fletcher’s November 11 statement called for every crossing to open, humanitarian organizations and commercial markets to be allowed to operate, and funding for a winter plan. He listed durable shelter, warm clothing, blankets, bedding and safe heating among the needs, alongside generators, fuel, spare parts and equipment to pump water, remove debris and clear explosive ordnance. Fletcher said foreign ministers and partners had offered support but had cited Israeli elections, followed by government formation, as obstacles to progress. In a November 9 statement, the IDF said it and COGAT were advancing winter preparations with the Board of Peace, the UN, international organizations and donor countries. It reported that more than 91,000 tents and more than 8,200 trucks carrying winter supplies had entered Gaza. The military said it was continuing humanitarian work while reviewing equipment to prevent Hamas from using supplies to rebuild its capabilities.