As the winter season unfolds, tens of thousands of displaced Gazans who sought refuge along the coastline are now contending with a new formidable challenge: severe weather conditions. The beaches, once a place of leisure, have become the frontline of survival for those who have fled their homes amid ongoing conflict.
Mohammed al-Halabi, a resident of Deir al-Balah, poignantly recounts his harrowing experience: "Nothing is left in the tent: not mattresses, bedding, bread, everything was taken. The sea took it." Tragically, he highlights the brutal reality that a two-month-old child had to be rescued from the waves after being swept away.
As revealed by the UN, approximately 90% of Gaza's 2.3 million people are currently displaced, with most now residing in makeshift tents. As temperatures fall sharply, illnesses are spreading rapidly among families living in precarious conditions. Shaima Issa, a mother from Khan Younis, laments, “My children’s feet, their heads—everything is freezing,” while her daughter suffers from a fever caused by the cold.
Reports from the region depict devastating scenes as rain and flooding exacerbate the already dire situation. Residents, like Salwa Abu Nimer, express their desperation: “No flour, no food, no drink, no shelter. What is this life I’m living?” With continuous downpours inundating their tents, survival grows increasingly tenuous.
The lack of basic necessities has created a humanitarian catastrophe. Long lines form outside bakeries in search of the meager supply of bread, with many expressing grave concerns over their health and survival. Hanan al-Shamali, a caregiver for orphans, voices her distress: “I need bread so that I can feed the orphans I take care of.”
Aid efforts are hampered by ongoing conflicts and issues at the Kerem Shalom crossing, where humanitarian supplies are brought into Gaza. Despite the presence of aid trucks, distribution problems persist, leading to allegations of looting and further complicating already tenuous conditions. Antoine Renard of the UN’s World Food Programme describes the situation as “a daily struggle for survival," stressing that the levels of hunger and destruction have reached unprecedented heights.
As Israel continues its military operations and uncertainty looms, Gazans brace for what lies ahead this winter—an unrelenting fight against both the cold and hunger. The future remains bleak for those clinging to hope amid chaos and suffering.
