As Israel prepares to conquer Gaza City, IDF resumes supply of shelter material for Palestinian evacuees

The office of the Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) announced on Saturday evening that it would resume the entry of “tents and shelter equipment” into Gaza in preparation for the relocation of the civilian population of Gaza out of combat zones ahead of the IDF’s renewed efforts to take over central Gaza, including Gaza City. 

📍Update:

➡️In accordance with the directive of the political echelon, and as part of the @IDF preparations to move the population from combat zones to southern Gaza for their protection, the supply of tents and shelter equipment to Gaza will resume tomorrow (Sunday).

➡️The…

— COGAT (@cogatonline) August 16, 2025

Israel resumed the transfer of humanitarian aid to Gaza on May 19, after halting it on March 2, following the collapse of talks in the hostage-ceasefire agreement. However, the aid transferred so far has primarily contained food and medical aid, and has not included shelter equipment.

The announcement of the entry of shelter equipment comes as the IDF is preparing for a large-scale military operation to take over Gaza City, at the direction of the political echelon. 

Approximately 1 million Palestinians are believed to be sheltering in Gaza City at this time.

Meanwhile, despite recent reports of a gradual softening by Hamas in the negotiations, the IDF is moving forward with the plans and operations to encircle Gaza City and begin the battle to seize the city. 

According to reports in Hebrew and international media, the military has almost taken full control the neighborhood of Zeitoun, one of the oldest and largest neighborhoods in Gaza City. A military source told Walla News that the IDF operation to take over Zeitoun was already in the works before the Security Cabinet ordered the full takeover of Gaza City.  

The Hamas terrorist organization has built extensive infrastructure above and below ground in Zeitoun; therefore, capturing the neighborhood and eradicating that infrastructure is critical for any operation to seize the rest of the city, the military source added. 

Palestinian sources, including the Hamas-run Zeitoun Municipality, reported that the neighborhood has been completely cut off from water and electricity due to IDF operations, and that about 400 homes had been destroyed there after several days of fighting.

Alongside the entry of tents and other shelter equipment, Israel's Kan News reported on Saturday that Indonesia had participated in aid airdrops for the first time, with the approval of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. 

Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim nation, does not maintain diplomatic relations with Israel. However, the two sides have discussed allowing some Palestinians from Gaza to receive medical treatment in Indonesia, as well as bringing others to work in the country. The Indonesian government is reportedly seeking assurances from Israel that these Palestinians would be allowed to return to Gaza afterward.

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir is expected to visit the Southern Command on Sunday to review the Israeli military's plans for taking control of Gaza City, Hebrew media reported. In preparation for the offensive, the military is expected to call up large numbers of reserve soldiers.