Gaza Herald — Growing calls to dissolve US President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace have intensified as devastating winter storms flood displacement camps across Gaza, leaving hundreds of thousands of Palestinians exposed to cold, rain, and deteriorating shelter conditions amid continued Israeli restrictions on humanitarian supplies.
Palestinian factions, tribal leaders, and human rights advocates have criticized the board and its associated political arrangements, questioning their effectiveness in protecting civilians, securing humanitarian access, and ensuring implementation of the ceasefire.
Nikolay Mladenov, whose role has been linked to the international arrangements for Gaza, has also faced criticism over the response to the worsening humanitarian emergency.
For several days, heavy rainfall has flooded tens of thousands of displacement tents, soaking mattresses, clothing, and essential belongings while exposing families to cold temperatures and rising floodwaters.
Gaza’s Government Media Office reported that approximately 70,000 tents were flooded during the storms, worsening an already severe shelter crisis caused by widespread destruction and repeated displacement.
Critics argue that international bodies claiming a role in Gaza’s political and administrative future have failed to translate their commitments into meaningful protection for Palestinian civilians.
Human Rights Advocates Demand Accountability
Human rights advocates have warned that Gaza faces an urgent shortage of winter shelter materials, with displaced families in immediate need of tents, tarpaulins, and temporary housing.
Palestinian Minister of Social Development Samah Hamad recently estimated that Gaza requires at least 200,000 tents and 200,000 tarpaulins to address critical shelter shortages.
Critics have questioned the effectiveness of the Board of Peace and the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza as families continue to struggle in flooded displacement camps.
They argue that the existence of international political arrangements has done little to change conditions on the ground, particularly while Israeli restrictions continue to obstruct the entry of shelter materials and emergency equipment.
Israel, as the occupying power, bears obligations under international humanitarian law toward the protected civilian population. Human rights advocates have also argued that international bodies involved in Gaza’s political arrangements bear political responsibility when they fail to respond effectively to the humanitarian crisis.
Reports of thousands of emergency shelter kits awaiting entry into Gaza have further raised concerns about restrictions on humanitarian assistance.
Critics accuse Israeli authorities of linking the entry of certain reconstruction materials and temporary housing units to military and political conditions, delaying efforts to provide adequate shelter.
They warn that treating humanitarian needs as part of broader security negotiations risks prolonging civilian suffering.
Palestinian Factions Criticize Peace Council and Mladenov
In a joint statement, Palestinian factions criticized the Board of Peace and Nikolay Mladenov, accusing them of failing to exert sufficient pressure on Israel to halt violations and facilitate humanitarian relief.
The factions argued that international arrangements should prioritize civilian protection and the delivery of essential supplies rather than allow political and security disputes to delay urgent assistance.
They called on the board to fulfill its responsibilities and press Israeli authorities to end restrictions affecting Palestinian civilians.
The factions also urged the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza to begin carrying out its administrative responsibilities inside the territory, particularly those related to essential services and daily civilian needs.
The criticism reflects broader Palestinian concerns about the effectiveness of political structures established to oversee Gaza’s future while the population continues to face an immediate humanitarian emergency.
Palestinian Tribal Leaders Demand Board’s Dissolution
The National Gathering of Palestinian Tribes, Clans, and Families has also called for the dissolution of the Board of Peace, arguing that it has failed to protect Gaza’s population or deliver meaningful improvements in humanitarian conditions.
The gathering urged the United Nations and the UN Security Council to assume direct responsibility for addressing the crisis and ensuring civilian protection.
Tribal representatives also called for Gaza to be formally declared a disaster zone during an emergency meeting with UN humanitarian officials.
They requested that a high-level UN delegation visit the territory to inspect flooded displacement camps and assess the consequences of the continuing shelter emergency.
The gathering additionally called for the urgent delivery of more than 270,000 tents to accommodate displaced Palestinians facing harsh winter conditions.
Its demands come alongside calls from other Palestinian organizations for stronger international intervention, unrestricted humanitarian access, and accountability for restrictions preventing essential supplies from reaching civilians.
Rami Abdu, chairman of the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor, has also demanded that the UN Security Council withdraw its backing for Trump’s Board of Peace and urge participating states to leave.
In a post on X, Abdu accused the board of prioritizing Israeli security demands while failing to challenge restrictions on lifesaving shelter materials.
“As Gaza’s children face death from flooding and freezing cold, the Board of Peace has become a shameful symbol of international failure: obsessed with Israel’s security demands, yet unwilling to confront Israel’s obstruction of lifesaving shelter and aid,” he wrote.
Abdu also criticized what he described as the board’s silence over the humanitarian crisis.
“Its silence is not neutrality; it is complicity,” he stated.
Winter Storm Exposes Gaza’s Deepening Shelter Crisis
The flooding of displacement camps has exposed the consequences of widespread destruction of homes, drainage networks, and essential infrastructure across Gaza.
Families living in makeshift tents face growing risks from rainwater accumulation, damaged sanitation systems, and inadequate protection against cold weather.
Humanitarian organizations have called for the immediate entry of tents, prefabricated housing units, plastic sheeting, drainage equipment, and heavy machinery needed to support emergency operations.
They have warned that delays in delivering these supplies leave displaced Palestinians vulnerable to further flooding, disease, and structural collapses.
For critics of the Board of Peace, the crisis raises a fundamental question about the effectiveness of international arrangements that claim to support Gaza’s recovery but have yet to secure adequate shelter and reliable humanitarian access.
The growing demands for the board’s dissolution reflect frustration over the gap between political commitments and conditions on the ground.
For displaced Palestinian families, the immediate priorities remain clear: safe shelter, access to essential supplies, protection from further harm, and an effective international response to the humanitarian emergency.
