Gaza displaced families face fourth winter in makeshift shelters

Displaced Palestinians in Gaza are preparing for their fourth winter living in inadequate shelters, including tents and makeshift structures. As winter approaches, temperatures are expected to drop to 7°C, with wind chill making conditions feel significantly colder.

Families in displacement camps, such as those on the beaches of western Gaza City, struggle to secure worn-out nylon sheets and tarpaulins against approaching storms. Many residents lack the financial means to purchase replacement materials, which cost between 120 and 150 shekels ($37 to $47) in local markets.

Mohammed al-Jamal, a 60-year-old resident who has been displaced multiple times since October 2023, reports that heavy rain and wind frequently destroy their shelters, forcing families to rebuild repeatedly. His extended family of approximately 30 members currently lives in these conditions, facing constant threats from flooding and exposure.