Severe winter storms have further worsened the humanitarian situation in Gaza, with heavy rainfall, strong winds, and freezing temperatures compounding the hardships faced by hundreds of thousands of displaced civilians, local officials, and aid agencies said.
According to Gaza’s civil defence authorities, heavy rain and gusty winds over recent days have caused makeshift shelters, tents, and damaged buildings to collapse, killing several civilians, including children. Many families, already forced from their homes by ongoing conflict, are now struggling to survive in unsafe and exposed conditions as temperatures continue to drop.
Aid workers on the ground reported that the storms have flooded tent camps and low-lying areas, soaking bedding, clothing, and essential supplies. In some places, strong winds ripped through temporary shelters made from tarpaulins and scrap materials, leaving families with little protection from the cold. Health officials warned that children, the elderly, and those with chronic illnesses are particularly vulnerable to hypothermia and respiratory infections.
“The weather has turned displacement into a life-threatening ordeal,” one humanitarian worker said, noting that many shelters were never designed to withstand harsh winter conditions. Medical facilities, already overstretched, have reported an increase in cold-related illnesses alongside injuries caused by collapsing structures.
The storms have also disrupted aid delivery, with damaged roads and flooding limiting access to some areas. Humanitarian organisations say fuel shortages and power outages have made it difficult to provide heating, clean water, and medical care. Many families lack blankets, winter clothing, and basic insulation, despite repeated calls for urgent assistance.
United Nations agencies have warned that Gaza’s humanitarian crisis is entering an increasingly dangerous phase as winter conditions intensify. They have renewed appeals for unimpeded access to deliver shelter materials, food, medical supplies, and winter relief kits. However, aid groups say the scale of need far exceeds what is currently reaching the territory.
Residents described harrowing nights spent trying to keep children warm as rain poured through torn tents. “We survived the bombing, but now the cold is killing us,” one displaced father said.
As forecasts predict continued unstable weather, humanitarian officials stress that immediate action is needed to prevent further loss of life. Without improved shelter, heating, and access to aid, they warn that winter storms will continue to claim lives in a population already enduring extreme hardship.
