At least five Palestinians have been killed in the Gaza Strip after a powerful winter storm caused already-damaged buildings and structures to collapse, local health officials said on Tuesday. The deaths come as freezing temperatures continue to pose a deadly threat to residents living without adequate shelter.
Despite a ceasefire that has been in place since October 10, aid agencies warn that Gaza’s population remains highly vulnerable after years of intense bombardment and persistent shortages of humanitarian assistance. Many families are living in tents or unstable structures that offer little protection from harsh winter weather.
Women and Children Among the Dead
Medical staff at al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City said those killed during Tuesday’s storm included two women, a young girl and a man. Additional deaths among children and elderly people were reported as temperatures dropped sharply overnight.
Gaza’s Health Ministry confirmed that a one-year-old boy died from hypothermia, while two other children were reported to have died the previous night due to freezing conditions and the lack of proper shelter.
Separately, Israel’s military said its forces exchanged fire with six people near troops stationed in southern Gaza, killing at least two individuals in the western Rafah area.
Tents Destroyed as Winds Intensify
The storm also caused widespread destruction of temporary shelters. The United Nations humanitarian office reported that hundreds of tents and makeshift structures were either blown away or badly damaged by strong winds.
Al-Shifa Hospital said three members of the same family were killed when a large wall collapsed onto their tent along Gaza City’s Mediterranean coastline. Several others were injured in the incident. Relatives later worked to clear debris and rebuild shelters for those who survived.
Civil defence officials warned that the storm could have devastating consequences, noting that most of Gaza’s residents are now displaced and living in unsafe conditions following the destruction of their homes.
Aid Shortages Worsen Humanitarian Crisis
Most Palestinians in Gaza remain in makeshift tents after large parts of the territory were reduced to rubble during the war. Rescue workers have repeatedly warned people not to take shelter inside damaged buildings because of the high risk of collapse.
While the UN and its partners have been distributing tents, tarpaulins, blankets and essential supplies, humanitarian groups say far more assistance is needed. They also say that restrictions on goods entering Gaza continue to limit the availability of shelter materials and medical aid.
In a statement, Hamas said the growing number of deaths and illnesses highlighted what it described as a failure by the international community to provide adequate relief.
Hospitals Struggle as Cold-Related Illnesses Rise
Civil defence officials said hospitals across Gaza are seeing a surge in patients, particularly children, suffering from cold-related illnesses. Emergency services have received hundreds of calls for help as shelters deteriorate under severe weather conditions.
Amjad Shawa, director of the Palestinian NGO Network in Gaza, said around 10,000 families living along the coast face renewed danger and possible displacement due to the storm. Gaza City Mayor Yahya al-Sarraj described conditions as “tragic,” with many families sheltering in unsafe tents and limited access to medicine.
Forecasters said cold temperatures are expected to persist through at least Tuesday evening.
International Concern Grows
At a briefing on Tuesday, Qatar’s foreign ministry described the situation in Gaza as a “man-made humanitarian catastrophe” and urged Israel to allow more aid into the enclave. Officials said delays in implementing humanitarian agreements were costing lives each day.
As the toll continued to rise, UNICEF warned that children remain especially at risk. A spokesperson said more than 100 children have been killed in Gaza since the ceasefire began, including at least six who died from hypothermia during the current winter.