Gaza Faces Freezing Winter Conditions as Displaced Families Struggle to Survive

As winter descends on Gaza, over a million displaced residents are grappling with extreme cold, resulting in the heartbreaking deaths of seven infants from hypothermia. Among the casualties are twin babies Jumaa and Ali al-Batran, with Jumaa freezing to death in a tent in Deir al-Balah just a day after her brother succumbed to similar conditions in a hospital.

The ongoing Israeli military operations have led to the repeated displacement of Gaza's families, forcing them into makeshift shelters that provide minimal protection against the elements. The Palestinian Meteorological Department has warned of continued rainfall and thunderstorms, with conditions remaining dangerously cold. Humanitarian assessments indicate that around 1.6 million Gazans live in inadequate shelter, with many children receiving only one meal a day, which significantly hampers their resilience against the cold.

The humanitarian situation has been exacerbated by recent heavy rain that has flooded numerous camps, displacing families and rendering their shelters uninhabitable. One mother, Sabreen Abu Shanab, described the dire conditions in which her children have to wake up, soaked and cold, as water soaked through their bedding and clothing. The Gaza civil defense reported numerous distress calls from families struggling to deal with the flooding while highlighting their inability to provide suitable alternative shelter.

Hamas is urging the international community for immediate assistance, calling for the UN to send relief and tents to safeguard hundreds of thousands of displaced individuals. They accused Israel of systematic brutality towards the Palestinian population, which they claim warrants urgent international intervention. In parallel, Palestinian officials reported that five detainees have died in Israeli prisons, drawing attention to the harsh realities faced by those incarcerated.

As winter grows harsher, the healthcare system in Gaza is on the brink of collapse due to ongoing Israeli strikes that have targeted hospitals. A recent attack on Al Wafa hospital resulted in multiple fatalities, with the military justifying it as a strike against Hamas. Meanwhile, the raid on Kamal Adwan hospital has left northern Gaza without adequate medical facilities, intensifying the humanitarian crisis. The World Health Organization's director has labeled the conditions in Gaza's hospitals as a "battleground," underscoring the dire need for medical assistance amidst the chaos.