Hamas: Heavy equipment allowed into Gaza is small and broken

Ismail Thawabta, the director of Hamas' public diplomacy office, complained today in an interview (Wednesday) that the heavy construction equipment allowed into the Gaza Strip was too small and badly functioning.

Thawabta said that "Israel has thus far only allowed the entry of just six engineering vehicles. Some of them are small and some broke down and require repair and spare parts."

Hamas has repeatedly insisted that Israel allow in large numbers of caravans to house displaced Gazans whose homes were destroyed during the fighting, as well as substantial amounts of engineering equipment to help clear the rubble and rebuild the Strip. They and Egyptian and Qatari mediators have made significant efforts to try and make sure these deliveries occur.

For its part, the Israeli government is reportedly interested in providing both the caravans and the equipment, on condition that the release of living and slain hostages to be freed under the first phase of the hostage deal is sped up.

Many on the right have staunchly opposed the introduction of heavy engineering equipment into the Gaza Strip, as vehicles such as those waiting to enter the Strip were used to breach the border fence on October 7, and they can also be used to rebuild Hamas' tunnel infrastructure. Some observers of the border have even witnessed efforts to use the tools to bury IEDs.

Six live hostages are set to be released this Saturday, along with four slain hostages being released tomorrow. Hamas claimed that the remaining members of the Bibas family, who they claim are all dead, will be among those who are returned to Israel, but there has been no Israeli confirmation of this.

An Israeli source said that Hadar Goldin ob"m, who was killed in action in 2014 and who was held by Hamas since then, will also be returned by next week thanks to the efforts of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.