With winter approaching, hundreds of thousands of displaced families across Gaza face catastrophic conditions as adequate shelter, warm clothing, and heating supplies remain nearly impossible to obtain. Recent assessments indicate that over half a million people currently lack basic protection from rain and cold, with many forced to sleep under torn tents or plastic sheeting as temperatures drop.  

Food shortages have reached alarming levels, with nearly the entire population experiencing severe food insecurity. Malnutrition has significantly weakened vulnerable groups, particularly children and the elderly, reducing their ability to withstand cold weather and increasing the risk of disease. Medical facilities, already overwhelmed, report growing cases of respiratory infections and hypothermia, especially among infants.  

International observers describe the situation as unprecedented, warning that without a major increase in aid delivery and the restoration of basic services, the coming months could bring a dramatic rise in preventable deaths. The combination of exposure, hunger, and inadequate healthcare has created a perfect storm of humanitarian need, with families forced to choose between seeking food and finding shelter from the cold.