As the Israeli siege continues, the displaced people in the Gaza Strip witness catastrophic humanitarian conditions, which have worsened with the onset of winter. The shelter camps have turned into muds and stagnant water, while there is a severe shortage of shelter and absence of any urgent solutions to guarantee them the minimum necessities of life.
Thousands of displaced people are left in the open air after their fragile tents were flooded with water, while the winds uprooted some of them, leaving families without any means to protect their children from the bitter cold.
Some are forced to use plastic covers and worn-out fabrics as temporary shelters on top of the rubble of their destroyed homes to shelter themselves.
The displaced people’s suffering have become intolerable, as rainwater seeps into the tents, soaking the few clothes they own, while they find no means to stop the torrent of water flowing into their sleeping places. The risk of diseases is increasing among children and the elderly, who are already suffering from food and medicine shortages, amid lack of heating as well.
The displaced people confirm that their basic need is not food or drink, but tents to protect them from the cold and prevent water from seeping into their sleeping areas, as the muddy ground and stagnant water threaten their lives and the health of their children, amid the absence of any real solutions to their worsening suffering.
Despite the announcement of a ceasefire on January 19, the humanitarian situation in Gaza has not improved, as the occupation continues to prevent the entry of basic aid, including temporary housing. The occupations violations are flagrant violation of international humanitarian law, which guarantees the right of every human being to obtain safe and dignified shelter.
As the displaced people face cold and hunger, the international community remains content with merely issuing statements of condemnation without taking any real measures to end the siege and force the occupation to respect the rights of civilians, which makes the tragedy of Gaza worsens lack of any substantial steps for a solution.
