A low-pressure system, initially expected to pass through Gaza in mere hours, has intensified into a catastrophic event, wreaking havoc on the already fragile lives of displaced families. The brutal winds have torn apart flimsy tents, the only refuge for many, while rising sea waters have flooded remaining shelters, leaving countless individuals exposed to the harsh elements.

Gihan Qaza'at, a displaced woman from Al-Mawasi in southern Gaza, shared the ordeal of that harrowing night. "It was the hardest night we’ve ever lived through," she recounted. "We spent the night clutching our tents to keep them from blowing away, as the winds battered our children, making them sick."

The bitter cold compounds the devastation. "Our bodies are frozen from the cold," Qaza'at added. "There aren’t enough blankets, and many of the tents have been destroyed. Even our clothes fail to keep us warm."

The destruction is staggering. According to the Municipal Union in Gaza, nearly 10,000 tents have been obliterated or swept into the sea. Official reports reveal that 81% of the 135,000 tents in Gaza are no longer habitable. The government media office confirmed that nearly two million people are now without shelter, forced to sleep under the open sky as border closures prevent the entry of much-needed supplies, including tents and caravans.

With Gaza's infrastructure reduced to rubble by months of bombardment, hope for relief seems distant. The displaced face worsening winter conditions, left to endure the relentless elements without adequate shelter or warmth.

Since the Israeli occupation's assault on Gaza began on October 7, 2023, the territory has been engulfed in destruction. Tens of thousands have been killed or injured, many of them women and children, as the conflict continues to exacerbate the suffering of those already living in unimaginable hardship.