Gaza’s already fragile humanitarian situation is rapidly deteriorating, with tens of thousands of families left without adequate shelter despite a declared ceasefire. Massive destruction across the territory has rendered millions homeless, forcing displaced residents to sleep in open spaces or under flimsy tents that provide little protection from the elements. With winter rains intensifying, the lack of reliable accommodation is leaving children, the elderly, and the sick particularly vulnerable.

Since the start of the war, nearly 288,000 housing units have been destroyed, creating an urgent need for at least 300,000 tents to shelter the displaced. Currently, only a fraction of the 135,000 tents available are in usable condition, as prolonged exposure to harsh weather has left most damaged or unsafe. Families have been compelled to move toward coastal areas and open grounds, where temporary shelters offer minimal protection from cold, wind, and rain, compounding the crisis.

Authorities have called for immediate international pressure to allow the entry of emergency supplies, including tents and mobile housing units, warning that continued restrictions on aid are aggravating the suffering. Without swift and coordinated intervention, hundreds of thousands of people will face an increasingly perilous winter in the midst of an ongoing genocidal war.