Danon Tells Britain to Direct Gaza Winter Concerns at Hamas

Danny Danon, Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, told Britain and other countries on Thursday evening to direct their concerns about Gaza ahead of winter toward Hamas. In a statement published on November 12, he urged them to “point your fingers in the right direction: Hamas.” Two days earlier, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel was facilitating winter preparations through COGAT in coordination with the Board of Peace, the United Nations, international organizations and donor countries. His November 10 statement listed more than 91,000 tents and more than 8,200 trucks carrying tarpaulins, blankets, winter clothing and other supplies. Netanyahu’s account also included 12 vacuum trucks, repairs to water and sewage networks, and fuel for pumping facilities. He said Israel would continue supporting winter preparedness while preventing Hamas from diverting humanitarian supplies and equipment to rebuild its military capabilities. In the same November 10 statement, Netanyahu said Israel was working with the United States and the Board of Peace and remained committed to President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan. He said the plan required Hamas to disarm and Gaza to be demilitarized before reconstruction began, asserted that Hamas had not surrendered a single weapon, and called on mediators to demand its immediate disarmament throughout Gaza.