The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has warned that thousands of internally displaced Palestinians in the Gaza Strip are struggling to find safe shelter as winter approaches, amid the ongoing devastation caused by Israel’s two-year war on the territory.

In a statement posted on X, UNRWA said that displaced families “have no option but to erect makeshift tents,” while emphasizing that “more shelter materials are still needed” to protect civilians from the harsh winter weather.

Currently, over 79,000 displaced Palestinians are living in 85 UNRWA-run shelters across Gaza, where humanitarian conditions are deteriorating rapidly. The agency highlighted that urgent assistance is required to prevent further suffering, particularly among children, the elderly, and other vulnerable groups.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, warned that families in Gaza are at serious risk of flooding due to inadequate shelter. He noted that ongoing Israeli restrictions on aid and relief operations are exacerbating the crisis, blocking the delivery of essential materials and supplies.

The situation worsened on Tuesday when a storm with heavy rainfall flooded dozens of tents in the Al-Mawasi area of Khan Younis, in southern Gaza. UN officials have called the incident a stark indicator of an impending humanitarian catastrophe if immediate action is not taken.

UNRWA emphasized that Gaza requires approximately 300,000 tents and prefabricated housing units to meet basic shelter needs after Israel’s military offensive destroyed much of the territory’s infrastructure. The agency urged the international community to provide urgent support to ensure that displaced Palestinians can survive the winter safely.

The humanitarian emergency in Gaza underscores the lasting impact of Israel’s attacks on civilians and infrastructure, leaving thousands of families without homes, exposed to the elements, and dependent on international aid for survival. (ILKHA)