2.1 million people in Gaza need protection and humanitarian assistance throughout the winter

At the press conference he held in Ramallah, Hamed made statements about the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the difficulties faced by Palestinians displaced due to Israeli attacks in the upcoming winter conditions.

Stating that 30 percent of the humanitarian aid and shelter materials sent to Gaza were kept at the border gates due to the restrictions imposed by Israel, Hamed said that the aid could not be delivered to the region at the speed and amount needed.

Hamed stated that more than 1 million 760 thousand people, corresponding to 84 percent of Gaza's population, continue to live in crowded displacement areas.

Stating that more than 65 percent of the displaced families stayed in tents and temporary shelters due to the widespread destruction caused by Israeli attacks, Hamed stated that more than 300 thousand families lack adequate protection against cold weather and rains.

Noting that more than 1600 displacement areas in Gaza are at risk of floods and floods, Hamed stated that 80 percent of the water infrastructure in the region needs repair.

Stating that 200 thousand tents and 200 thousand tarpaulins are needed to meet the urgent shelter need, Hamed stated that 19 people lost their lives due to hypothermia (dangerous drop in body temperature) in the last two years.

Reminding that more than 370 thousand houses were destroyed or damaged in Israeli attacks, Hamed emphasized that humanitarian aid, shelter and winter supplies, as well as building materials required for reconstruction, should be allowed to enter Gaza.

The devastation caused by Israeli attacks deepens the shelter crisis in winter conditions

More than 80 percent of the buildings in the Gaza Strip, where Israel has continued its attacks since October 2023, were destroyed or severely damaged.

Hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians are struggling to survive in makeshift tents and temporary shelters as most of the residences have become unusable.

Heavy rains in Gaza flooded many tents housing displaced Palestinians, further worsening the already dire housing conditions.

Israel's restrictions on the entry of containers, tents, tarpaulins and basic humanitarian aid materials into the region make it difficult for Palestinians to be protected from cold weather and rains.

Israel's failure to fulfill its humanitarian obligations under the ceasefire agreement is also among the obstacles to meeting the shelter and reconstruction needs in the region.