As winter grips Gaza, nearly 2 million displaced Palestinians face extreme cold without proper resources. Families struggle to stay warm in makeshift shelters, which offer little protection from wind and rain.
For instance, Shadia Aiyada, a mother of eight, uses a single blanket and a hot water bottle to protect her children. “We fear strong winds will knock down our tents while we’re inside,” she explained. Additionally, many children only have summer clothes, forcing families to borrow from relatives.
Meanwhile, the United Nations reports that 945,000 Palestinians urgently need winter supplies. However, aid organizations struggle to deliver enough resources due to Israeli restrictions. Thousands of blankets and mattresses remain stuck in Egypt and Jordan, which worsens the crisis.
Consequently, families light fires with scraps of paper and cardboard to fight the cold. However, many avoid fires at night because they fear becoming targets for airstrikes. For example, Reda Abu Zarada, displaced with her family, said frost penetrates their torn tent. “I worry I’ll wake up to find one of my children frozen,” she said.
Moreover, the blockade on Gaza has created a dire situation. Shortages of food, water, and medical supplies further add to the suffering. Over 45,000 Palestinians, including women and children, have died in the conflict. As a result, almost the entire population is displaced.
