DaysofPal – Israeli forces continued their assaults across the Gaza Strip on Monday, demolishing buildings and striking densely populated areas despite plummeting temperatures and a worsening shelter crisis.
Overnight and into the morning, Israeli aircraft and artillery targeted several areas in southern Gaza, particularly Khan Younis and Rafah. In the town of Abasan al-Kabira, east of Khan Younis, heavy bombardment struck al-Khansaa School and nearby homes, killing and injuring several civilians. Two more Palestinians were reported killed in Rafah.
Explosions also shook Gaza City, where Israeli troops have intensified demolitions of residential neighborhoods, leaving families without homes to return to. Local reports said the attacks hit areas sheltering displaced Palestinians already struggling to survive amid cold weather and dwindling aid.
According to Gaza’s Government Media Office, Israel has committed more than 190 ceasefire violations since the U.S.-brokered truce took effect on October 10. Despite the supposed ceasefire, Israeli bombardments and raids have persisted nearly daily.
Since Israel launched its war on Gaza in October 2023, more than 68,865 Palestinians have been killed and 170,670 wounded, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The enclave’s infrastructure lies in ruins, with more than 90 percent of buildings, including homes, schools, hospitals, mosques, and churches, destroyed.
Winter Deepens Gaza’s Misery
As temperatures drop, the humanitarian crisis is worsening. The ongoing Israeli restrictions on aid have severely limited the entry of essential supplies, including tents and shelter materials.
Amjad al-Shawa, head of the Palestinian NGO Network in Gaza, warned that most of the tents housing displaced families are torn and inadequate. He said at least 300,000 new tents are urgently needed to prevent “a humanitarian and environmental disaster.”
Under the ceasefire deal, Israel was supposed to allow the entry of more than 300,000 tents and mobile homes for about 288,000 displaced families. But the Gaza Media Office reported that Israel has failed to uphold those terms, blocking not only shelter materials but also vital shipments of food, medicine, fuel, and heavy machinery.
Between the start of the ceasefire and the end of October, only 3,203 aid trucks entered Gaza out of the 13,200 agreed upon. On average, just 145 trucks have crossed daily, far short of the minimum 600 required.
UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, has also warned of an escalating catastrophe as winter sets in. “As winter approaches in Gaza, people are increasingly in need of shelter and warmth,” the agency said, calling for the immediate restoration of humanitarian access.
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