Gaza’s Winter Misery: War Refugees Face Harsh Winter Conditions Amid Ongoing Conflict
According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, Palestinian refugees in Gaza are facing severe winter conditions, with storms destroying their makeshift shelters and leaving many homeless. The situation has been exacerbated by the ongoing conflict, which has displaced thousands and left them without adequate housing.
Ibrahim Abu Salah, a displaced resident of western Khan Younis, recently returned to his tent after repairing damage from a previous storm, only to have it destroyed again by strong winds. His story mirrors that of many others in Gaza, where harsh weather has claimed dozens of lives.
Many refugees have been forced to seek shelter under the rubble of destroyed buildings, despite the risk of collapse. A recent incident in the coastal camp west of Gaza City saw a building collapse due to heavy rain, resulting in fatalities and injuries. The Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City also faced disruptions as rainwater flooded its reception and pediatric areas.
Umm Abdel Rahman Al-Najjar, another displaced resident, described the dire conditions: “We used to pray for rain, now we pray for it to stop.” Despite efforts to reinforce their tents with sandbags and plastic sheets, many shelters were overwhelmed by the storms.
Mahmoud Jumaa, whose family home in central Gaza was partially destroyed by artillery fire, recounted how a plastic cover failed to protect his damaged fourth-floor apartment from the rain. “We spent a whole day trying to fix it, but the water still came in,” he said.
Refugees have taken to social media to share images of their destroyed tents, highlighting the widespread devastation. Many are calling for temporary housing solutions, as the prospect of reconstruction remains uncertain amid the ongoing conflict.
