Jerusalem (AFP) - The "Peace Council" established by US President Donald Trump on Monday stressed the need for Israel to take immediate measures as winter approaches to help the Gaza Strip, which was devastated by war and which is witnessing deadly floods, accusing the Hebrew state of not taking sufficient steps in this regard.

Published on: 09/11/2026 - 20:11

The council said in a statement, "The issue is no longer limited to an imminent threat as winter approaches, but rather has turned into an urgent humanitarian emergency."

Heavy rains over the past two days swept away tens of thousands of displaced persons’ tents in the Gaza Strip, killing at least five people, according to Hamas-affiliated authorities.

The Peace Council added that it warned Israel, which controls all the crossings leading to the Strip, about the need to prepare for winter and seasonal floods.

He also urged the Israeli authorities to "allow and facilitate the entry of all necessary supplies" and to "fully implement" the commitments made under the US President's plan to stop the war in the Gaza Strip in 2025.

Trump chairs the Peace Council, which was initially established to oversee the truce in Gaza and the reconstruction of the Strip, before its goals expanded.

Since a ceasefire was reached in October 2025, Israel has continued to launch strikes on Gaza on an almost daily basis.

Shortly before the statement was issued, the Israeli army announced that it had allowed more than 8,200 trucks to enter the Gaza Strip carrying supplies, including 91,000 tents. However, the Peace Council considered that the Israeli steps were “still insufficient.”

He said, "We call on the leadership of the current Israeli government to act immediately to allow and facilitate the entry of all humanitarian supplies and necessary winter supplies."

On the other hand, Israel held Hamas responsible for the floods, considering that the movement should have invested in infrastructure instead of weapons.

“Hamas should not escape responsibility every time it rains,” the Israeli Foreign Ministry said Sunday via Ex.

The Peace Council called on Hamas to adhere to its obligations under the ceasefire agreement.

© 2026 AFP

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