Storm to Hit Gaza, Adding to Suffering of Displaced Residents

Gaza’s Displacement Camps Face Harsh Winter Conditions

A new storm is forecast to hit Gaza, exacerbating the challenges faced by hundreds of thousands of Palestinians living in makeshift tents in displacement camps. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has led to the displacement of nearly all of Gaza’s two million people from their homes, with many forced to live in temporary shelters.

According to reports, 127,000 of the 135,000 tents in displacement camps have been rendered unusable due to recent extreme weather conditions. The harsh winter weather is further straining the already fragile infrastructure of these makeshift settlements.

The situation has worsened since a ceasefire took effect on October 10, under a United States-brokered agreement. Despite this, aid deliveries have been significantly reduced, with an average of only 145 trucks entering Gaza per day, compared to the planned 600 trucks.

To cope with the harsh conditions, Palestinians have resorted to makeshift measures, such as reinforcing their tents with plastic sheets and burning scraps for heating due to unaffordable fuel supplies. The winter weather has also led to the collapse of previously damaged buildings, resulting in at least 25 deaths since mid-December, according to Gaza’s Ministry of Health.

The Palestinian Meteorological Department has warned of frost and freezing conditions, which are expected to hit Gaza on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. Hospitals across the territory have reported an influx of patients with cold-related illnesses, particularly children.

Source: Al Jazeera