Gaza faces worsening shelter crisis as winter approaches, with over 162,000 tents unusable

Hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians in the Gaza Strip face another winter without adequate shelter, as deteriorating tents, widespread destruction of homes and continued displacement leave families exposed to rain, cold and severe weather conditions.

Field surveys indicate that more than 162,000 of approximately 270,000 displacement tents have become severely damaged or unusable due to prolonged use and exposure to harsh weather.

Many Palestinians continue to live in makeshift shelters or among the ruins of destroyed buildings, with limited protection against winter conditions.

Gaza’s Ministry of Social Development has warned of an impending humanitarian catastrophe, estimating that more than 300,000 families urgently require adequate shelter.

According to the ministry, the territory needs approximately 200,000 new weather-resistant tents and 300,000 emergency shelter kits containing thermal insulation materials, tarpaulins and reinforced plastic sheeting.

The shelter crisis has been compounded by extensive destruction across the Gaza Strip, where approximately 85 percent of residential units have reportedly been completely or partially damaged, leaving displaced families with few alternatives to overcrowded camps and temporary shelters.

For many residents, the approaching winter brings renewed fears of flooding and exposure to freezing conditions.

Manal Darwish, a displaced Palestinian woman, recalled the difficulties her family experienced during the previous winter, when heavy rainfall repeatedly flooded their deteriorating tent.

Strong winds eventually tore apart the shelter, leaving the family exposed to the elements for several days before they were able to rebuild it.

Her experience reflects the conditions facing many displaced families who remain dependent on fragile tents that have deteriorated after years of repeated use.

With winter approaching, humanitarian concerns are growing over the lack of adequate shelter materials and the risks facing families who have already endured prolonged displacement.

The Ministry of Social Development has emphasized the urgent need for shelter assistance to protect displaced Palestinians from further suffering during the winter months.