At least seven children have died from exposure to extreme cold since the start of winter in the Gaza Strip, while a total of 24 displaced people have been killed in weather-related incidents, including house collapses, amid ongoing hostilities and severe shortages of shelter and aid, according to a statement released Tuesday by the Gaza Government Media Office.
The death toll from extreme cold in the forced displacement camps rose to 21 since the start of the genocide.
The group said violent winter storms over the past two days swept away about 7,000 tents housing displaced families, worsening what it described as a rapidly escalating humanitarian crisis. More than 1.5 million Palestinians have been forced into makeshift displacement camps after widespread destruction of homes and infrastructure, the statement said.
Citing field documentation, the group said all 24 victims were displaced people living in temporary shelters, including 21 children. The seven most recent deaths were attributed directly to extreme cold since the onset of winter. The group warned that the toll could rise as further cold waves and low-pressure weather systems move through the region.
“The situation reflects an extremely dangerous indicator of the humanitarian catastrophe threatening the lives of the most vulnerable groups,” the statement said, pointing to a near-total lack of heating, inadequate shelter, severe shortages of blankets and winter clothing, and continued restrictions on the entry of humanitarian assistance.
The group said it had previously warned of the risks posed by winter storms and freezing temperatures, particularly to children, the elderly and the sick, and urged urgent intervention to prevent further deaths.
In its statement, the organisation held Israel responsible for the humanitarian conditions in Gaza and called on the international community, the United Nations and humanitarian agencies to act immediately. It appealed for the establishment of safe shelter centers and the unrestricted entry of heating materials and emergency relief supplies.
The winter storms come as Gaza’s population continues to face widespread displacement, damaged infrastructure and limited access to essential services, raising concerns that colder weather could further exacerbate an already dire humanitarian situation.
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