The once-familiar beaches of Gaza have transformed into desperate living quarters for tens of thousands of Palestinians, displaced from their homes due to ongoing conflict. As the winter weather sets in, this vulnerable population now faces a new threat—the relentless assault of harsh seas and freezing conditions.
Mohammed al-Halabi, a resident of Deir al-Balah, shared the dire situation, recounting, “Nothing is left in the tent: not mattresses, bedding, bread—everything was taken. The sea took it.” Tragically, he recounted rescuing a two-month-old infant who had been swept into the water.
The United Nations reports that nearly the entire population of Gaza, totaling around 2.3 million, is now displaced, with the majority living in tents. As temperatures plummet, illness is sweeping through these makeshift communities. Shaima Issa, a mother from Khan Younis, described the chilling reality, saying, “My children’s feet, their heads—everything is freezing.” She recounted how her daughter contracted a fever from the cold, emphasizing, “Everyone here is sick and coughing.”
The hardships are compounded by severe shortages of basic necessities, including food, water, and shelter. Salwa Abu Nimer, living in a tent, expressed her despair, stating, “No flour, no food, no drink, no shelter. What is this life I’m living?” Residents have resorted to queuing for charity handouts in overwhelming numbers, with reports of crowds surging outside bakeries desperate for bread.
Despite some aid entering through the Kerem Shalom crossing, the situation on the ground remains catastrophic. Critically low levels of humanitarian support have led to dire conditions, with aid distribution hindered by armed groups looting deliveries. Antoine Renard of the UN’s World Food Programme painted a bleak picture, stating that the scope of hunger and devastation has reached unprecedented levels in Gaza.
As winter continues to settle in without respite from the war, aid workers and residents are left grappling with the daunting challenges of survival amid an escalating humanitarian crisis. The outlook remains grim, with little hope of improvement in the near future for the devastated populace of Gaza.
