UNRWA says winter storms expose 'man-made' crisis for 235,000 in Gaza

The commissioner-general of the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) declared on Monday that at least 235,000 Palestinians in Gaza have been affected by severe winter storms, describing the crisis as fundamentally "man-made." Philippe Lazzarini stated that months of conflict and displacement have forced people to live in collapsing ruins, makeshift shelters, and flimsy tents, leaving them acutely vulnerable to harsh weather.

Storm Damage to Already Precarious Shelters

Citing data from the Shelter Cluster in Gaza, Lazzarini detailed that between December 10 and 17, heavy rains and strong winds from low-pressure systems caused 17 buildings to collapse. Furthermore, over 42,000 tents or temporary shelters were fully or partially damaged. "While Storm Byron that struck Gaza... was a natural hazard, its consequences are man-made," Lazzarini emphasized in a post on the social media platform X.

New Weather System Compounds the Catastrophe

A new wave of bad weather has been battering the Gaza Strip since the weekend, according to local civil defense. This latest depression has reportedly killed two people and uprooted tens of thousands of tents. The conditions pose an extreme danger to a displaced population largely housed in worn-out tents or severely damaged buildings, many of which are considered high-risk following repeated Israeli military strikes since October of last year.

Context of Ongoing Siege and Humanitarian Blockade

The situation is exacerbated by the ongoing closure of Gaza's crossings by Israel, which continues to prevent the entry of mobile homes and reconstruction materials. This blockade persists despite a ceasefire that took effect in October, severely hampering recovery efforts and worsening the plight of the enclave's nearly 2.4 million residents. The war, which began in October 2023, has resulted in widespread devastation and a staggering number of casualties in the Palestinian territory.