Gazans Face Dire Winter Choices Amidst Reconstruction Challenges

Residents of Gaza are confronting a devastating reality this winter, as they grapple with the aftermath of recent conflicts that have left over 400,000 homes destroyed. Many are now forced to choose between living in makeshift tents exposed to harsh weather conditions or risking their lives inside the precarious remains of collapsed buildings.

Hiyam Abu Nabah, a resident of Khan Younis in southern Gaza, illustrates this grim situation. With no access to a tent, she lives with her family in the shell of a building, where the absence of walls offers little protection from the elements. The danger is palpable; the upper floors of the structure have collapsed above them. The recent storm brought heavy rains and floods, resulting in the tragic deaths of at least 17 people, including children, according to Palestinian Civil Defense Spokesperson Mahmoud Basal. The storm exacerbated an already dire situation, with approximately 90% of shelters for those displaced by the conflict experiencing severe flooding.

Reflecting on the storm, Abu Nabah shares her harrowing experience: “On the first day of the storm, we could hear the stones cracking above our heads. Sand was falling into our eyes… this is not a life.” Her five-year-old child navigates through dangling electrical wires, remnants of a life once filled with comfort. Access to electricity is no longer a reality, and her hopes of returning to what remains of her home in Shujaiya, Gaza City, remain distant, as it lies within an area controlled by the Israeli military.

In a nearby building, Awn Al Haj struggles to show the extent of the damage to his shelter. Using a stick, he pokes at the roof, causing debris to tumble down. The structure, weakened by the storm and previous airstrikes, presents constant risks. “You did not know what would happen to you while you are sitting here. Concrete blocks fall, water leaks in, wind and bitter cold,” he recalls. Al Haj understands that his efforts to shore up the crumbling walls are merely temporary solutions to a life-threatening problem.

The situation in the al-Shati camp further highlights the urgent need for adequate shelter. A recent building collapse claimed the life of a man and injured two others. Neighbors attribute the collapse to the damage sustained during Israeli airstrikes, compounded by the winter weather. “Houses keep collapsing. Someone do something about how we are living,” a neighbor lamented.

According to Mohammad Fathi from Gaza Civil Defense, the lack of heavy machinery hampers rescue efforts. “With every winter storm, many families and many children will die,” he warns. While emergency services urge residents to vacate damaged buildings during heavy rain, the reality is that many have nowhere else to go.

The United Nations reports that 1.3 million Palestinians are in urgent need of shelter this winter. Despite recent efforts, including the entry of nearly 310,000 tents and tarpaulins and over 1,800 trucks of warm blankets and clothing into Gaza, the humanitarian crisis continues to escalate. The UN and international NGOs are appealing to Israel to facilitate increased aid, yet restrictions persist.

The consequences of the storms have been dire, with reports of fatalities including a two-week-old infant and an eight-month-old child, both succumbing to hypothermia. As the winter intensifies, the number of families forced into unsafe living conditions within the remnants of their homes is expected to rise.

Bakr Mahmoud al-Sheikh Ali, a resident of Khan Younis, reflects the sentiments of many displaced Gazans: “People are afraid, but they tell you, brother, I need shelter. I do not want a tent and water in the winter, in this cold weather… whatever happens, happens.” The stark reality faced by these individuals underscores the urgent need for comprehensive humanitarian assistance and long-term solutions in the region.