Source Credit: AL JAZEERA
In Gaza, a severe winter storm has deepened the suffering of people already hurt by conflict. Thousands of Palestinians, who lost their homes in the recent attacks, now live in fragile tents that offer little protection. The strong winds and heavy rain make life even harder, leaving families cold and scared.
In Gaza City, many have taken shelter in tent camps set up in the courtyards of schools and other open spaces. The weather is cruel. Rainwater and even dirty sewage seep into the tents, turning these makeshift homes into cold, wet places where even a safe night’s sleep is hard to find.
Mahmoud Riyad Khalil al-Fayoumi, who now lives in a tent with three other families, speaks with a heavy heart. “The blankets are very wet,” he says. He had to send his two-month-old baby and his brother, who is injured, to stay with others because it is too dangerous to stay. “We don’t know what to do. We don’t know where to go,” he adds, his voice filled with sorrow.
The local government in Gaza City admits that they do not have enough resources to help everyone. Basic supplies such as warm clothes, good tents, and safe water are in very short supply. Tess Ingram from UNICEF explains that children are at great risk. “For kids in these conditions, it is not only frightening but very dangerous,” she says. “Many children have died from the cold, and families do not have enough warm clothes or shoes.”
The pain spreads across Gaza. In Deir el-Balah, a strong gust of wind tore a tent away, leaving people scrambling to save their few remaining belongings. “The tent flew away and we were all left in disarray,” says Saqer Abdelal. In southern Gaza, the local authorities in Rafah are calling for 40,000 more tents and emergency shelters to help those who have lost their homes. The lack of heavy machinery makes it even harder to clear the rubble and fix the roads.
Every drop of rain and every gust of wind seems to remind the people of what they have lost—their homes, their comfort, and a sense of security. The storm is not just a weather event; it is a painful blow to those who have already suffered so much.
As the harsh weather continues, the people of Gaza remain trapped in a cycle of loss and despair. They cling to their few belongings, holding on to hope in a place that feels abandoned by the world. The sorrow is deep, and each day brings a reminder of how much has been lost and how much more is needed to rebuild a life filled with warmth and safety.
