UNRWA says storms damage Gaza shelters as aid remains blocked

Severe winter storms have inflicted further devastation on the Gaza Strip, destroying makeshift shelters and worsening the plight of displaced families, according to the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees. The UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) stated on Wednesday that strong winds and heavy rains have damaged or obliterated tents across the enclave at a time when it remains blocked from directly delivering essential shelter supplies.

An Urgent Need for Tents and Tarpaulins

"Tents and tarpaulins are desperately needed," UNRWA wrote on the social media platform X, warning that families are now exposed to harsh winter conditions. The agency called for humanitarian assistance to be allowed into Gaza "without impediment." It noted that Israeli authorities continue to block UNRWA from directly bringing aid into the territory, including the critical shelter materials required for hundreds of thousands of people whose temporary homes have been compromised by the weather.

A Ceasefire that Has Not Ended Suffering

The situation unfolds despite a ceasefire that took effect on October 10, 2025, halting the major military operations of a war that began in October 2023. That conflict killed over 71,200 Palestinians, mostly women and children, injured more than 171,200 others, and left Gaza's infrastructure in ruins. However, the ceasefire has not led to a full opening of crossings or the free flow of reconstruction materials. Gaza's Health Ministry reports that since the truce began, at least 414 people have been killed and over 1,100 injured in continued incidents.

A Deepening Humanitarian Catastrophe

The inability to deliver shelter aid exacerbates what was already one of the world's most severe humanitarian crises. UNRWA, established over 70 years ago to assist Palestinians displaced in 1948, is the primary aid provider in Gaza. The blockade on its direct operations severely hampers the response to both the lingering effects of war and new seasonal emergencies. The crisis draws continued international condemnation and underscores the critical need for a political solution that addresses both immediate humanitarian access and long-term reconstruction, concerns voiced consistently by nations including Türkiye.