In the war-torn Gaza Strip, where nearly 2.3 million residents have been displaced, a new adversary has emerged: winter. Thousands of Gazans, forced to flee their homes, now find themselves living in makeshift shelters along the coastline, vulnerable to freezing temperatures, flooding, and illness.
Living in Harsh Conditions
The flimsy tents dotting Gaza’s beaches provide little protection against heavy rains and battering waves. Mohammed al-Halabi, a displaced resident of Deir al-Balah, described the dire situation:
“Nothing is left in the tent—mattresses, bedding, even food—the sea took everything,” he said. “We even rescued a two-month-old baby dragged out to sea.”
The United Nations estimates that nine out of ten displaced Gazans living in shelters are staying in tents, where flooding from rain and sewage has become a common occurrence.
“My children are freezing,” said Shaima Issa, a mother living in Khan Younis. “We’re essentially living on the streets, surrounded by scraps of fabric. My daughter has a fever, and everyone is coughing and sick.”
Her neighbor, Salwa Abu Nimer, described similar struggles:
“When it rains, the water floods our tent. We wear wet clothes and have no food or drink. I’ll do anything to feed my children.”
Critical Shortages of Essentials
Across Gaza, humanitarian conditions are deteriorating rapidly. The UN has warned of catastrophic shortages of food, medicine, fuel, and shelter. Long lines for aid have become a daily reality, with desperate residents crowding bakeries for bread.
“I need bread to feed the orphans I care for,” said Hanan al-Shamali in Deir al-Balah. “Most days, I leave empty-handed after waiting for hours.”
Aid Delays and Security Concerns
Despite the urgent need, aid deliveries into Gaza remain at their lowest levels this year. At the Kerem Shalom crossing, trucks carrying supplies often face delays, with Israel blaming logistical issues on aid agencies.
Meanwhile, inside Gaza, armed gangs have reportedly looted incoming supplies, forcing UNRWA, the largest UN agency in the region, to suspend deliveries via Kerem Shalom. Antoine Renard, the local head of the UN’s World Food Programme, described the situation as dire:
“People are facing a daily struggle for survival. Hunger and devastation are at unprecedented levels. There’s barely any food coming in, and markets are empty.”
No End in Sight
Amid the destruction and suffering, there is little hope for relief as the war rages on. For Gaza’s displaced population, the onset of winter only deepens their struggle for survival.
