Israeli violations of the so-called “humanitarian protocol” have left displaced Palestinians in Gaza struggling against worsening conditions, as freezing temperatures and violent storms further devastate the makeshift camps. Torrential rains and strong winds have swept through the strip, destroying tents and leaving families exposed to the harsh winter without adequate shelter or aid.

The Palestinian Meteorological Service has confirmed that this is the most severe storm of the season, with winds exceeding 100 km/h. Videos from the affected areas show tents collapsing under the force of the storm, while flooding has turned displacement camps into uninhabitable swamps. Israel’s relentless attacks on Gaza’s infrastructure, including roads and drainage systems, have exacerbated the disaster, leaving thousands of displaced civilians trapped in the cold and mud.

Despite previous agreements that were supposed to ensure the entry of shelter materials, fuel, and aid, Israeli authorities continue to impose restrictions, worsening the suffering of those who have already lost everything. According to officials in Gaza, Israel has blocked the delivery of thousands of caravans and tents meant to house the displaced, alongside much-needed medical supplies and fuel. These deliberate obstructions have pushed the humanitarian crisis to catastrophic levels.

As the storm rages on, displaced families endure the night in freezing temperatures, clinging to what little remains of their shelters. Yet, despite the unbearable conditions, they remain steadfast in their refusal to be driven from their land. Their resilience stands as a defiant rejection of Israel’s policies of forced displacement and collective punishment.