PN Report
Gaza: The Palestinian government and the UN Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory warned at a joint press conference that Gaza faces a severe winter crisis, and urged the immediate removal of restrictions on humanitarian supplies.
Dr. Samah Hamad, Minister of Social Development and Acting Minister of State for Relief Affairs, said about 2.1 million people in Gaza need protection and assistance this winter. More than 1.76 million, or 84 percent, live in overcrowded displacement sites, and over 65 percent of families are in tents or temporary shelters. More than 370,000 housing units have been damaged or destroyed.
She said the crisis stems not only from a lack of funding but from restrictions on supplies. About 30 percent of relief and shelter items prepared for the response remain stranded at crossings, and only an estimated 10 percent of winter supplies are arriving compared with previous years. UNOSAT assessments show over 65,000 tents and shelters are exposed to flood risks, while thousands of families remain in around 4,000 buildings at risk of collapse.
Humanitarian Coordinator Ramiz Alakbarov said the situation is a human-made crisis, not a weather event. He cited devastated homes and infrastructure, damaged drainage systems, Israeli restrictions and insufficient funding. About 150,000 tents purchased by aid partners and member states remain outside Gaza, while stocks inside are nearly depleted. He also called for lifting limits on Palestinian access to large areas of Gaza so families can move to safer places.
Both officials urged a coordinated international response. Alakbarov said access cannot replace funding, nor funding access, while Hamad called for all crossings to be opened.
