Why it matters:
The growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, compounded by the onset of winter, has exposed the vulnerabilities of displaced families, who continue to suffer amid ongoing blockades and insufficient aid. The region’s crumbling infrastructure, further weakened by two years of conflict, leaves these families with few options for safety.
The big picture:
Already devastated by continuous conflict and Israeli airstrikes, Gaza faces new challenges with the arrival of winter. The UN estimates that Gaza needs at least 300,000 tents and prefabricated homes to meet the minimum shelter requirements, while infrastructure rebuild efforts remain stalled.
What they're saying:
Stephane Dujarric, UN Spokesperson: “A significant number of Palestinian families in Gaza are living in shelters that are inadequate and ill-prepared for heavy rains, making them highly susceptible to floods.”
Mahnoud Bassal, Gaza Civil Defense Spokesman: “The tents are not suitable for living, particularly with the arrival of winter, and do not provide adequate protection against the cold or rain.”
UN Report: Gaza requires around $70 billion for reconstruction, following years of damage from Israeli strikes. More than 69,000 Palestinians have been killed and over 170,000 injured in ongoing violence.
Key points:
Despite ceasefire agreements, Israel continues to restrict the flow of humanitarian aid and prevent essential supplies from entering Gaza.
Gaza’s infrastructure, already decimated by years of Israeli bombardment, remains largely destroyed, leaving nearly 300,000 families urgently needing basic shelter.
Go deeper:
International aid organizations have struggled to provide adequate support, with essential supplies often delayed or blocked. Without sufficient shelter, food, and medical aid, Gaza’s residents are facing an increasingly dire situation.
By the numbers:
69,000 Palestinians have been killed in the ongoing conflict.
170,000 injured due to bombings and violence.
300,000 shelters are needed to meet basic housing needs in Gaza.
Hossein Vaez - ahmad shirzadian
