Gaza Envelope Residents Outraged as Infrastructure Pipes Enter via Kerem Shalom
Gaza envelope residents expressed outrage after trucks carrying infrastructure pipes crossed into Gaza at Kerem Shalom, warning that the aid and reconstruction efforts only strengthen Hamas.
Residents of the Gaza envelope expressed deep outrage on Wednesday after trucks carrying infrastructure restoration pipes were spotted crossing the border through the Kerem Shalom crossing. "Has Hamas disarmed without telling us?" members of the Gaza Envelope Forum demanded angrily. "Israel claims this is for water infrastructure that was damaged. That response certainly explains why it is for damaged infrastructure, which is why it is called restoration!" The forum further questioned whether a new body is now ruling Gaza besides Hamas without their knowledge.
Ishay Sfez, a resident of Yated in the regional council, shared his profound concerns: "We are very troubled by the fact that the State of Israel is practically moving forward with the rehabilitation of the Gaza Strip. Hamas is growing stronger and ruling the Gaza Strip, and every piece of cargo brought into the Gaza Strip strengthens Hamas. Over the past year, Hamas has been strengthening under the patronage of the aid provided by the State of Israel and once again poses a threat to the envelope residents."
Osnat Peri, a resident of Nir Oz, added: "There is still a fear of a problematic security situation. From the outset, I did not think we would completely eliminate Hamas, and to my great sorrow, that has materialized. Hamas is not wasting time and is rebuilding itself. Yet I returned to Nir Oz. We must not return to the situation of October 6. We fought bitterly, but the policy has not changed. The feeling is that control is not in Israel's hands. There was no political strategy. Agreements were simply forced upon us and we signed them."
Yael Svirigo, a member of Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak and one of the leaders of the "Tzav 9" movement, launched a sharp critique: "There is no 'humanitarian crisis' in Gaza. What does exist are aid convoys that endanger our fighters in the field time and time again, while the Israeli response continues to be feeble."
