In the aftermath of heavy rains, the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza transforms into a waterlogged swamp, where mud clings to shoes and stagnant pools form between sagging tents. For Hamza al-Mutawwaq, a Palestinian father, and his family, this is a grim reality they must endure daily. “It’s as if people are sleeping on a flowing river of rainwater,” he lamented. After two years of relentless Israeli bombardment, nearly 2.2 million Gazans now face an additional threat: the onset of winter. Over 80% of Gaza’s structures have been destroyed since October 2023, forcing hundreds of thousands like al-Mutawwaq to live in makeshift tents. Despite hopes that a ceasefire would bring temporary shelters, Israeli violations have left these families exposed to the elements. “The whole world eagerly awaits the mild winter season, but for us, it will be a curse,” al-Mutawwaq told Middle East Eye. With no relief in sight, many have turned to the black market for winter essentials, but exorbitant prices make these items unattainable for most. Amjad al-Shawa, head of the Palestinian NGOs Network, described the situation as “catastrophic,” urging swift action to bring in essential supplies. According to Gaza’s Government Media Office, Israel has allowed only 155 aid trucks daily, far below the 600 stipulated in the ceasefire agreement. Ismail al-Thawabta, the office’s spokesperson, warned of a potentially harsh winter, with half a million children and nearly 100,000 pregnant women at risk. For Amal Mehanna, a widow and mother of three, winter brings fear and anxiety. “We live in constant dread of its arrival,” she said, recalling how her daughter fell ill last winter due to the lack of warm clothing and blankets. As winter approaches, Gaza’s displaced face a humanitarian crisis exacerbated by ongoing conflict and insufficient aid.
‘We hate winter’: Palestinians face the rain without shelters as Israel blocks tents
