“Rain soaks our open wounds, deepening the pain.”
Instead of enjoying the warmth and comfort of their homes, this is how Gazans are describing the harsh reality of winter in displacement camps.
Currently, over two million people, including many children, are living in overcrowded shelters and makeshift homes, exposed to the cold, and with their homes destroyed and livelihoods lost, the freezing temperatures and rain are seeping into their fragile tents.Â
For many, these conditions are reminiscent of 1948, during the Nakba, when Palestinians were forced to live in tents that provided little protection from the harsh weather.
As winter tightens its grip, The New Arab uncovers how displaced families from Gaza are navigating survival during one of the harshest winters yet, amid Israel’s ongoing genocide.
‘Where is the world while we suffer?’
Between Khan Younis and Rafah, Sanna Abu Mosameh, a 46-year-old widow and mother of seven, who was displaced due to Israel’s occupation, shared her story: “The tent is a cruel lie. We can’t sleep at night because rainwater floods the area, soaking my children as they sleep. Our clothes are wet, and our blankets are so worn they don’t provide any warmth.”
She also talked about the pain of not having enough food, saying: “The hardest feeling is when my children ask for food, and I can’t provide it. Even bread has become a luxury we can rarely afford.”
According to Sanna, this struggle is taking a toll on her children, and she says: “Where is the justice when my children sleep with rainwater drenching their bodies? Insects invade our tent daily. My children are sick, and I can’t even find food, let alone medicine. Where is the world while we suffer? Our children are human. Please feel our pain and end our suffering.”
Just from these accounts, misery and despair are clear in the faces and bodies of Gaza’s displaced families, with Sanna’s story being just one of thousands living in tattered tents made from scraps of fabric and plastic bags.
‘The freezing cold is unbearable’Â
Responding to the dire conditions that displaced families have endured this winter, Dr. Ziad Shehada, General Manager of MyCARE in Gaza, says: “The freezing cold is unbearable for families living in tents that offer no proper insulation. Children and the elderly are particularly at risk, as the lack of warmth severely impacts their health.”
Ziad highlighted the added challenges posed by rain and flooding, explaining, “Water leaks into the tents, damaging what little belongings families have left. In some cases, tents collapse entirely, leaving families exposed to the elements. Without proper heating, many resort to burning wood or scraps, which often leads to fires or suffocation accidents.”
Zaid also emphasised the spread of respiratory illnesses, noting that the cold, combined with limited medical resources, is causing diseases like pneumonia to rise among children. “The lack of winter clothing and blankets makes matters worse, leaving children vulnerable to the bitter weather,” he said.
Engineer Tareq Al-Talmas, head of the Malaysian Peace Mission, also weighed in, saying: “As Gaza faces its second winter under war and siege, displaced families are struggling in worn-out tents that fail to protect them from heavy rains and cold winds. Ready-made tents cost over $1,000, which most families cannot afford. Attempts to construct tents locally are even more expensive due to the scarcity of materials like wood and nails.”
Urgent appeal for global support
Unsurprisingly, numerous humanitarian organisations in Gaza have been working tirelessly to alleviate the suffering of displaced families.
However, their efforts face significant challenges, including closed borders, a severe shortage of aid supplies, and the targeting of relief workers by Israeli forces, as in the case of activist Nahid Abu Al-Louz, who was struck in an Israeli airstrike.
Despite these risks, their fight to support lives on.
At present, relief initiatives are increasing their efforts to help displaced families this winter, focusing on food distribution, which has become increasingly rare due to blocked humanitarian aid. Key efforts include distributing winter clothing, baby formula, and setting up traditional clay ovens to bake bread and cook meals using firewood, a necessity due to the near-total absence of electricity and cooking gas.
Local initiatives known as “Tekiya” have also emerged to provide meals for displaced families, with large quantities of traditional food like rice, lentils, or wild herbs gathered from fields being cooked and distributed, often to children waiting in long lines with whatever containers they can find.
Touching on MYCARE’s efforts in this crisis, Ziad shared, “We have set up four camps in Nuseirat and Zawaida, providing 550 tents with basic services and installing water and sanitation systems to prevent flooding. Our medical projects aim to supply essential medicines and perform minor surgeries for children in need. Additionally, we’ve distributed mattresses and winter clothing to help families endure these harsh conditions.”
Despite the support of these initiatives, Ziad still calls for urgent humanitarian intervention, stressing, “The needs far exceed what we can provide. More support is crucial to protect these families, especially the children, from the relentless challenges they face.”
A region that longs for peace and dignityÂ
With temperatures set to drop further, winter in Gaza is not just a season but a time of relentless hardship, where displacement, hunger, and cold create a daily struggle for survival.Â
That said, Gaza’s reality this winter highlights the urgent need for humanitarian help, solidarity, and an end to the ongoing cycle of destruction.
Only through working together can hope be restored to a region that longs for peace and dignity.
Asad Hammouda is a Palestinian media professional and academic from Gaza with a PhD in Communication and New Media, working as a journalist, TV presenter, and news anchor
