The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has warned that the scale of destruction in Gaza has left hundreds of thousands of people without shelter, as winter approaches and humanitarian conditions continue to deteriorate.

In a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), UNRWA cited data from the Global Shelter Cluster, reporting that more than 282,000 homes across the Gaza Strip have been damaged or destroyed amid the ongoing Israeli bombardment. The agency said this widespread devastation has forced tens of thousands of families to live in makeshift tents or crowded temporary shelters.

“Amid the destruction and rubble, many families are living in tents as winter approaches, often with limited space, privacy, and basic services,” UNRWA said.

The agency and its humanitarian partners are working to provide emergency shelter, food, and medical assistance to displaced families, but officials warn that aid delivery remains critically constrained due to continued military operations and border restrictions.

Humanitarian groups say that Gaza’s infrastructure has been “irreparably damaged”, with entire neighborhoods reduced to rubble, while the displacement crisis deepens by the day. The destruction of homes has also compounded shortages of clean water, electricity, and sanitation, heightening the risk of disease outbreaks among vulnerable populations.

With temperatures beginning to drop, UNRWA has urged the international community to increase support for emergency shelter programs, emphasizing that thousands of families lack access to warm clothing, blankets, or safe living spaces.

“Our teams continue to assist displaced families, but the needs are overwhelming,” the agency said, reiterating calls for unhindered humanitarian access and an end to the violence.

The UN has described Gaza’s current situation as “catastrophic”, with millions displaced and basic services on the brink of collapse. Aid officials warn that without an immediate and sustained humanitarian response, the coming winter could bring another wave of suffering to the already devastated population. (ILKHA)