UK criticises Gaza aid delays as tents take year to arriveEPAThe UK government has criticised delays in aid being allowed into Gaza after a consignment of more than 1,100 tents it sent to the strip took more than a year to arrive. The foreign secretary has also raised concerns that other UK-funded aid had been unable to reach residents, despite the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel. Yvette Cooper said the situation in Gaza remains "dire" as the United Nations warned that 1.5 million people are in need of urgent shelter amid worsening rains and plummeting temperatures ahead of winter. The BBC has asked the Israeli government for a response. The tents - each capable of housing a family of five - reached Gaza on Monday, with more expected to arrive this week. Government sources said the tents will provide shelter to as many as 12,000 people over the winter months. Cooper said the delay in getting aid into the strip could not be allowed to continue and that all crossings into the territory should be opened to allow unhindered humanitarian access. She said: "The situation in Gaza remains dire, with worsening weather conditions compounding the critical issues caused by damaged infrastructure and over two years of conflict. "Parents have been trying to shelter their children under broken roofs and open skies.
