The Times of Israel, Feb 16, 2025

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not give approval for the entry of caravans and heavy equipment into the Gaza Strip during last night’s security consultations, the Kan public broadcaster reports.

A political official tells the outlet: “Following a security consultation chaired by the prime minister, it was decided that the issue of caravans will be discussed in the coming days. Israel is fully coordinating with the United States.”

According to reports, the ceasefire and hostage release agreement explicitly states that supplies and equipment can be brought in to Gaza to establish at least 60,000 temporary living facilities. The details of the deal have not been published in full.

Images last week showed mobile homes and earthmoving equipment waiting at the Rafah Border Crossing from Egypt.

Last week, Hamas protested that Israel was blocking their entry and said that talks to get the ceasefire-hostage deal back on track had included discussions on a number of specific items, including the homes and equipment. Hamas released three hostages yesterday.

The apparent refusal by the premier to approve the entry of the equipment to the Strip comes as Netanyahu reportedly wants to extend the current first phase of the deal beyond the designated 42 days, which are set to end on March 1, and secure the freedom of more hostages as part of phase one, including more hostages Israel now knows are in poor health.

According to Channel 12, the premier wants Israel’s negotiators to argue to the Qatari and Egyptian mediators, with US support, that it’s also in the interests of Hamas to extend phase one.

Netanyahu has refused to allow Israel’s negotiators to engage in talks on the agreement’s second phase, which would see the release of the remaining hostages in exchange for a permanent end to the war.