A powerful weather system has compounded the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, leaving hundreds of displaced families without shelter and contributing to a rising number of casualties, despite the announcement of a ceasefire agreement.
According to UN agencies, humanitarian conditions in Gaza continue to be described as catastrophic by organizations operating on the ground, as the impact of the war remains unresolved amid an ongoing blockade that has severely restricted access to essential supplies and services.
Over the past 48 hours, strong winds and heavy rain have battered the enclave, flooding large numbers of tents housing displaced people and tearing others apart. Wind speeds exceeded 70 kilometers per hour, uprooting trees that fell onto makeshift shelters in several areas, particularly in Deir al-Balah, resulting in new casualties.
The storm has further exposed the vulnerability of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians living in temporary shelters, many of which offer little protection against harsh weather conditions.
The health sector is also facing critical challenges, with hospitals struggling under acute shortages of medicines and medical supplies due to the continued blockade. According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, 52 percent of essential medicines have completely run out, forcing the suspension of numerous life-saving medical procedures.
Hospitals have reported a near-total halt in several surgical services, including open-heart surgeries, cardiac catheterizations, and up to 99 percent of orthopedic operations. While some medical facilities, such as Al-Awda Hospital in Nuseirat, have resumed operations after temporary shutdowns caused by fuel shortages, other hospitals have announced the suspension of vital surgical services.
Aid agencies continue to warn that without sustained access to fuel, medical supplies, and shelter materials, Gaza’s humanitarian situation is likely to deteriorate further as winter conditions persist.
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