DaysofPal- A severe polar low has plunged the Palestinian territories into freezing temperatures and relentless rain, exacerbating the already dire conditions faced by thousands of displaced families in Gaza.
With many homes destroyed during last year’s devastating conflict, residents are left exposed to the elements, struggling to survive in makeshift shelters.
In the Sabra neighborhood east of Gaza City, Jihan Awad, a 37-year-old mother of five, huddles with her children in what remains of their home—a room reduced to crumbling columns and a fractured ceiling.
As gusts of wind sweep through the ruins, carrying raindrops and sand inside, Awad attempts to shield her family from the biting cold using tattered tarps, curtains, and sheets. Her seven-month-old daughter battles a respiratory infection worsened by the dusty environment and lack of proper medical care.
“I tried everything I could to protect my children,” Awad told Palestine newspaper. “But without heating or sufficient blankets, there’s little we can do against this harsh weather. My greatest fear is that stronger winds will bring down more stones from the weakened roof, endangering my children’s lives.”
Living Amid Ruins
For others like Muhammad Ajur, life since the war has become an unrelenting struggle for survival. His home in the Tel al-Hawa neighborhood was obliterated during Israel’s October 2023 offensive, leaving him and his children homeless.
Upon returning to Gaza after months in displacement, Ajur found himself living in an unfinished apartment amidst rubble and sand.
Without access to basic amenities such as bathrooms or running water, he describes feeling “as if I were sleeping outdoors.”
“The winds hit us mercilessly, throwing sand and small stones at our faces,” Ajur recounted. “My daughter developed an eye infection due to the exposure, and despite searching for treatment for weeks, her condition persists. This place is unhealthy, breeding respiratory diseases, and offers no respite from the biting cold.”
Ajur’s makeshift shelter provides minimal protection, leaving him desperate for a caravan or high-quality tent to shield his family from the elements. “We have no blankets or warm clothes to face the cold,” he lamented. “All we need is something—anything—to keep us safe until reconstruction begins.”
Fears of Flooding in Displacement Camps
Alaa Al-Bahtini, a resident of one of the northern Gaza Strip’s displacement camps, shares similar concerns. Having transformed a tent into temporary housing, he spends hours fortifying it against flooding caused by heavy rains.
By placing sand barriers around the structure and securing tarps with piles of earth, Al-Bahtini hopes to prevent another deluge like those experienced during previous storms.
“Before the war, I loved winter,” Al-Bahtini reflected. “Watching raindrops fall on my windows brought joy to me and my children. Now, every drop fills me with dread.
My daughters pray for clear skies so our tent doesn’t flood. We spend nights lifting tarps to drain accumulated water, fearing they might collapse under its weight.”
Al-Bahtini appeals for swift action to address the humanitarian crisis gripping Gaza. “The people here have endured too much—the war, scorching summers, and now these freezing winters.
We urgently need caravans or tents to act as temporary solutions while reconstruction efforts proceed. Additionally, providing easier access to clean water would alleviate much of our suffering.”
A Cry for Urgent Aid
As the polar low continues to grip the region, international attention turns to the plight of Gazans enduring unimaginable hardships.
Humanitarian organizations and governments are urged to accelerate relief efforts, including delivering essential supplies like tents, blankets, and heating materials. For families like Awad’s, Ajur’s, and Al-Bahtini’s, time is running out. Their resilience is remarkable, but without immediate intervention, the toll of this brutal winter may prove insurmountable.
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