Gaza City (The COW News Digital) The humanitarian situation in Gaza has worsened as Israel has once again blocked the entry of aid supplies into the territory, leaving thousands of Palestinians exposed to the harsh winter conditions. Following the first winter rains, refugee tents have been flooded, forcing families to live in wet and unsafe conditions while waiting for relief.
Thousands of tents have been submerged, and millions of displaced Palestinians remain under open skies, struggling to stay dry. With no proper drainage or shelters in place, residents have begun digging trenches around their tents to prevent water from flooding their living spaces.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), responsible for supporting Palestinian refugees, stated that aid for approximately 1.3 million people is currently held up at the Israeli border. UNRWA officials stressed that the delivery of assistance has become even more urgent due to the combination of heavy rain and plummeting temperatures.
In addition to flooding, Palestinians sheltering in partially destroyed buildings face the imminent risk of collapse, compounding the humanitarian crisis. Observers note that the situation is further complicated by Israel’s ongoing violations of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, which have hindered reconstruction and relief efforts.
Meanwhile, humanitarian teams, including the Red Cross and local groups, continue to search for missing individuals in areas affected by the conflict. In Gaza’s Zaitoun district, search operations have resumed to locate a kidnapped person, highlighting the continuing security challenges.
Israel has returned the bodies of 15 additional Palestinians to local authorities, bringing the total of recovered bodies to 330. The process underscores both the scale of the conflict’s human toll and the ongoing difficulties in providing aid safely and effectively.
International organizations have repeatedly called for the unimpeded entry of humanitarian supplies, emphasizing that winter conditions are exacerbating the plight of Gaza’s civilians. With the rainy season underway, urgent intervention is required to prevent further suffering among displaced populations.
The deteriorating conditions in Gaza highlight the intersection of political stalemate and humanitarian need, with both international and local agencies urging immediate measures to ensure that essential aid reaches those in desperate need.
