Winter Woes: Gazans Brave Cold with Limited Resources Amid Ongoing Conflict

Tue Mar 10 2026 02:23:07 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

As winter sets in, thousands of displaced Gazans struggle to find safety and shelter on the coast in the face of harsh weather and limited aid.

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza escalates as winter storms hit the displaced population, leaving them exposed and vulnerable. Many desperately seek basic necessities while grappling with the ongoing conflict and shortages.

The picturesque beaches of Gaza have transformed into makeshift homes for tens of thousands, as the war forces families to abandon their residences. Individuals like Mohammed al-Halabi, currently in Deir al-Balah, lament their losses as winter waves further devastate their flimsy shelters. “Nothing is left in the tent: not mattresses, bedding, bread, everything was taken. The sea took it,” he recounts, highlighting the harrowing reality faced by those displaced.

The United Nations reports that nearly all of Gaza's 2.3 million residents have sought refuge elsewhere, with the vast majority now living in tents. As temperatures drop, illness spreads, with many grappling with cold-related ailments. Shaima Issa, a mother in Khan Younis, shares the plight of her children: “My daughter has a fever because of the cold. We’re essentially living on the streets, surrounded by strips of fabric. Everyone here is sick and coughing.”

Salwa Abu Nimer, another resident, reveals the desperation as heavy winter rains flood their tents. “No flour, no food, no drink, no shelter,” she mourns, questioning the quality of life amid such dire circumstances. The situation is particularly severe in northern Gaza, with UN officials warning of critical shortages in food, medicine, and shelter across the region.

Desperate for sustenance, residents stand in long lines at bakeries to secure daily bread, often risking their health amidst chaotic crowds. Hanan al-Shamali, a diabetic, notes the dangers of navigating the pushing masses just to provide for her orphans. “Sometimes I get it, but most of the time, I don’t,” she adds, depicting the cruel uncertainty faced by many.

Meanwhile, at the Kerem Shalom crossing, Israel struggles to facilitate aid delivery, blaming humanitarian organizations for inefficiencies. However, local humanitarian workers report rampant looting of incoming supplies, exacerbating the already chaotic situation. Antoine Renard, from the UN's World Food Programme, outlines the dire conditions, stating, “There is barely any food coming in while markets are empty.”

With the persistent conflict showing no signs of abating, Gazans brace for another season of hardship as the cold wind sets in, compounding the suffering of a population already enduring immense challenges.