The Government Media Office in Gaza has warned of deteriorating conditions for hundreds of thousands of displaced persons in the sector as winter approaches. Over 60% of the tents used by displaced persons are in disrepair and in need of immediate replacement. According to the office's director general, Ismail Al-Thawabita, a field survey showed that 162,000 out of 270,000 tents used by displaced families across the sector are no longer serviceable.
The damaged tents are no longer able to provide even the minimum level of protection against wind, rain, and cold weather, putting children, women, and the sick at great risk. Al-Thawabita warned that the upcoming winter will be catastrophic if the shelter crisis is not addressed urgently. He called on the international community, UN organizations, and humanitarian institutions to intervene and provide new tents and winter relief supplies.
The situation in Gaza remains dire following the ongoing Israeli genocide war that started in October 2023. The war has caused widespread destruction, leaving a severe shelter crisis in its wake. The first autumn rains in Gaza have reignited fears of a repeat of the scenario where tents were flooded, highlighting the fragility of the tents in the face of widespread destruction of homes, facilities, and infrastructure.
According to the Ministry of Social Development, over 90% of Palestinians in the sector are living in damaged tents or shelter centers, or among the rubble of homes destroyed by Israeli forces since October 2023. In January 2026, UNICEF reported that recurring winter storms and floodwaters had destroyed or damaged thousands of tents and temporary shelters, forcing families and children to endure harsh, wet, and unsafe living conditions.
Since the start of the war in October 2023, over 73,000 Palestinians have been killed and more than 174,000 injured, according to the Ministry of Health in Gaza. The war has also caused extensive damage to 90% of homes, infrastructure, and basic services. The situation for displaced persons is expected to worsen as winter sets in.
The Government Media Office's warning highlights the urgent need for international assistance to address the shelter crisis in Gaza. The office's call for intervention is supported by previous reports from humanitarian organizations, which have emphasized the vulnerability of displaced persons to harsh weather conditions.
As the winter months approach, the humanitarian situation in Gaza is likely to deteriorate further unless urgent action is taken to provide adequate shelter and relief supplies to those in need. The international community is urged to respond to the crisis and provide necessary assistance to alleviate the suffering of displaced persons in Gaza.
Key points
- Over 60% of Gaza's displaced persons' tents are in disrepair and in need of immediate replacement.
