Winter’s Dire Impact on Displaced Palestinians in Gaza

The harsh winter conditions now arriving in Gaza have compounded the already devastating challenges faced by Palestinians displaced by Israeli airstrikes. Hundreds of thousands of families, many who have been displaced multiple times, are now battling severe weather in addition to the ongoing conflict. With the first major storm of the season hitting the Gaza Strip this Sunday, the displaced population is facing extreme conditions that threaten their lives.

In the makeshift camps along the coast in central Gaza, families are struggling to protect themselves from high tides, strong winds, and heavy rainfall that have flooded their fragile shelters. Children can be seen walking barefoot as their parents attempt to shore up the beaches, only to see their efforts swept away by the rising tide. The situation is dire, with many families fearing for their lives as they confront both the elements and the possibility of their shelters collapsing due to the severe weather.

The head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini, warned that winter in Gaza would bring even more deaths, especially among the most vulnerable populations, including the elderly and children. As of October, the amount of aid entering Gaza was at an all-time low, and with the coming winter, there are fears that the cold will claim even more lives. While the temperature in Gaza during winter typically ranges from 10°C to 20°C (50°F to 68°F), the lack of proper shelter and supplies means that many will suffer from exposure to the cold and rain, making their survival uncertain.

One of the worst-hit areas is Deir al-Balah, where families have been forced to shelter in tents made of plastic and nylon. The floods that hit the area left their belongings soaked, and families like that of Mohammad Younis are now left with no protection from the elements. With no access to adequate heating or clothing, these displaced people are left to face the harsh winter with nothing but their despair. 

The situation is made worse by the ongoing Israeli military operations, which have destroyed thousands of homes, leaving the majority of Gaza’s population displaced. As many as 1.9 million people, nearly 90% of Gaza's population, are now displaced, and many have been forced to live in tents that offer little protection from the cold and wet conditions. In the past, some families sought shelter in abandoned buildings, but with these structures increasingly destroyed, tents have become the last resort.

In southern Gaza, thousands of displaced people have taken refuge in Al-Mawasi, a designated "humanitarian zone" by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). However, this area is also frequently targeted by Israeli airstrikes, leaving families exposed to the dangers of both the elements and the ongoing military action.

Organizations like the Norwegian Refugee Council and Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) have reported that the lack of basic supplies and proper shelter puts displaced Palestinians in grave danger. Many of the shelters they rely on have been used for months, and they need to be replaced to withstand the harsh winter conditions. Without proper clothing, blankets, and heating, these families face another winter of hardship and suffering.

In northern Gaza, where Israeli military operations continue, tens of thousands of displaced people have sought refuge in shelters such as the Yarmouk sports stadium. These shelters, often poorly constructed and in a state of disrepair, offer little protection against the winter storms. The rain-soaked tents have become a breeding ground for despair, with families losing their belongings to the floods while struggling to survive without enough food, fuel, or even the most basic means of warmth.

The weather in Gaza has now become another deadly threat in a place where survival is already a daily struggle. As the winter storms intensify, the need for international aid and intervention has never been more urgent. The displaced families of Gaza, already facing unimaginable suffering, are now fighting to stay alive against the relentless forces of nature, with no end to their hardship in sight.