Gaza families face severe cold as winter aid falls short

As nighttime temperatures drop in Gaza City, families living in makeshift shelters face an increasingly difficult battle against the cold. Amira Saad, a 27-year-old mother of four, worries about keeping her four-month-old son warm. The infant is dressed in thin summer clothing because the family cannot afford proper winter gear. Saad has borrowed a warm garment from a neighbor, but she remains anxious about the chilly nights ahead.

Saad lives with 18 relatives, including nine children, under a tarp that offers minimal protection from the elements. The family was displaced from the Shujayea neighborhood earlier in the war and now resides in a camp west of Gaza City. Recent heavy rains have flooded their shelter, soaking their mattresses, pillows, and blankets. "We were flooded while we were sleeping. The water came inside and soaked our blankets, mattresses and pillows. Everything was wet," Saad said.

The lack of income makes it nearly impossible to replace these wet items. Saad’s husband recently broke his hand while working to clear rubble, leaving the family without a regular source of money. They now rely on community kitchens for food. Basima Saad, Amira’s 60-year-old mother-in-law, is particularly concerned about her 23-year-old daughter, who has a disability. "Her hands become as cold as ice. I keep her beside me in bed to warm her, just as I would a small child," Basima said.

The dangers of the cold are not just a theoretical risk for displaced Palestinians. On Thursday, a nine-month-old baby named Kinan Ahmed Raqiq died of hypothermia. His father stated that he woke up to find the child’s skin had turned blue. This tragedy has heightened fears among other families, such as that of Amal al-Maydana, a 46-year-old mother of seven.

Al-Maydana is raising her children alone after losing her husband and eldest son to the war in 2025. Originally from the Zeitoun neighborhood, she has been displaced six times and lost her home, land, and car. She now lives in a tent where rain seeps through the damaged tarpaulins. Her younger daughters are still wearing summer clothes. "We have no means of heating ourselves; we just cover the children with blankets," she said. She fears that another storm will bring more rain and cold, leaving families with no choice but to pray for relief.

Humanitarian data indicates that the scale of the need is vast. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reports that 94 percent of Gaza’s population urgently requires shelter assistance. Approximately 65 percent of households are living in tents or makeshift shelters. Additionally, 650,000 children require winter aid, including warm clothing and bedding.

Despite these figures, aid agencies secured enough winter clothing for only 9,000 households and bedding for 50,000 by September. Funding shortages continue to hamper preparations for the winter season. The UN Children’s Fund has warned that winter conditions increase the risk of hypothermia and respiratory infections for children. At least 11 children died from hypothermia during the previous winter, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health. The agency is currently seeking $97.5 million for its 2026-2027 winter response to support 540,000 children and their families.

Recent rainfall has worsened the situation, with flooding affecting more than 106,000 people. Approximately 950,000 displaced Palestinians are living in flood-prone areas. More than three years into the war, which has killed over 74,600 Palestinians and wounded more than 176,000, homes and livelihoods have been devastated. Nearly two million people have been displaced, many multiple times. As the conflict enters its fourth year, rising unemployment and prices have made basic necessities increasingly unaffordable.

In the Rimal market of Gaza City, shop owner Mohammed Abu Shanar observes the financial strain on customers. Many inquire about winter clothing prices but leave without purchasing anything. "The prices are very high. They are not within everyone’s reach," he said. He attributes the high costs to shortages of goods entering Gaza and the expense of wholesale stock. Abu Shanar has invested more than 20,000 shekels in winter stock but has recovered less than 5,000 shekels after three weeks of sales.

For many families, the choice is between buying new items or relying on second-hand markets. Anas Hamad, who was displaced from Beit Hanoun, lost his supermarket business and job during the war. He now depends on hand-me-downs to dress his three children. His family has lived in a badly torn tent for two years, where rain enters from above and below. Hamad faces difficult daily decisions. "I have to choose between buying food for my children, getting them warm clothes and blankets, or buying tarpaulins to protect our tent from the coming rain," he said.