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UK condemns Gaza aid delays after 1,100 tents arrive over a year late
The UK government has sharply criticized persistent delays in humanitarian aid reaching Gaza, after a shipment of more than 1,100 tents-sent over a year ago-finally arrived in the territory this week. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper warned that further obstructions to aid deliveries could not be tolerated, as the UN reports 1.5 million Gazans urgently need shelter ahead of winter's worsening weather.
Tents reach Gaza after prolonged border hold
The consignment of tents, each designed to house a family of five, entered Gaza on Monday, with additional shipments expected later this week, according to UK officials. Government sources estimate the tents will provide temporary shelter for up to 12,000 people during the coldest months, as heavy rains and dropping temperatures exacerbate already dire conditions.
Cooper emphasized the tents' arrival as a "lifeline" for displaced families, many of whom have been living under damaged roofs or in the open. "Cold winds and relentless rain are turning rubble into mud," she said, describing the worsening plight of civilians caught in the conflict's aftermath.
UN warns of worsening humanitarian crisis
Nearly 90% of Gaza's 2.2 million residents-approximately 1.9 million people-have been displaced since the Israel-Hamas war began in October 2023, per UN figures. The UK's aid shipment, while welcomed, underscores broader systemic delays: Cooper revealed frustration over "yet another consignment stuck at the border" earlier this year, calling for all crossings into Gaza to be opened immediately.
"This cannot be allowed to continue," she stated, urging accelerated humanitarian access and implementation of a peace plan to address the territory's long-term reconstruction needs. The UK has pledged to push for "unhindered" aid deliveries and a sustainable path to peace.
"Parents have been trying to shelter their children under broken roofs and open skies. These tents will protect them from the cold winds and relentless rain turning rubble into mud."
Yvette Cooper, UK Foreign Secretary
International community presses for expanded access
Jonathan Veitch, Unicef's Special Representative to the State of Palestine, described the tents' arrival as the result of "months of ongoing work by the international community to push for greater aid access." Despite the current ceasefire, he noted that daily life in Gaza remains "incredibly challenging" for children, with winter conditions compounding the devastation from prolonged conflict.
"UK aid-supported tents will provide urgently needed shelter," Veitch said, "but much more is needed" to address the scale of the crisis. The BBC has requested comment from the Israeli government regarding the delays.
Next steps
Cooper reiterated the UK's commitment to advocating for open crossings, full humanitarian access, and progress on a peace agreement. The tents' delivery, she said, demonstrates the "potential impact when our aid gets in," though reconstruction efforts remain "badly needed" after two years of conflict and infrastructure damage.
