A severe winter storm has compounded the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, resulting in at least 11 Palestinian fatalities within 24 hours due to exposure and structural collapses. The casualties include three young children who succumbed to hypothermia in separate incidents across the territory.
In Gaza City, nine-year-old Hadeel Hamdan and an infant identified as Taim Khawaja perished from extreme cold on Friday. The previous day, eight-month-old Rahaf Abu Jazar died in Khan Younis after rainwater inundated her family’s makeshift tent during overnight storms.
Structural failures claimed multiple lives as weakened buildings collapsed under the onslaught of torrential rains and powerful winds. Five individuals were killed when a compromised residence in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza, gave way. Two additional fatalities occurred when a wall collapsed onto displacement tents in Gaza City’s al-Rimal neighborhood, with another death reported in al-Shati refugee camp from similar circumstances.
According to the Gaza-based Government Media Office, approximately 13 structures—previously damaged by Israeli bombardment—completely collapsed during the storm. Rescue operations continue for those trapped beneath rubble, with numerous injuries reported.
The storm’s impact has been devastating for Gaza’s displaced population, with over 27,000 tents destroyed or washed away by floods. More than 250,000 displaced persons have been affected by shelter failures and extreme weather conditions. Civil defense teams have responded to over 4,300 distress calls across the territory despite severely limited resources.
This crisis unfolds against the backdrop of Israel’s blockade of humanitarian shelter materials, violating October’s ceasefire agreement that mandated the entry of 300,000 tents and mobile homes. With approximately 92% of residential buildings damaged or destroyed after two years of bombing, nearly 1.5 million Gazans currently reside in temporary tents while another 700,000 occupy partially destroyed structures.
Humanitarian organizations had previously warned of catastrophic consequences if adequate shelter wasn’t permitted into Gaza before winter conditions intensified.