UN says Gaza faces grim winter without shelters

Israel has faced increased international criticism over conditions in Gaza and the entry of humanitarian aid but has said it is preventing the entry of items that could have military uses.(AFP) — Virtually all of Gaza’s population of 2 million will go through winter without adequate shelter as the Palestinian territory enters a fourth year under heavy Israeli wartime restrictions, the United Nations said Friday.The International Organization for Migration said nearly 1.8 million people in the territory “are facing a fourth winter without adequate protection from rain, flooding and cold.”The U.N. agency called for international funding for humanitarian aid and for Israel to ease the “constraints” on the entry of critical supplies.A ceasefire in the Gaza war, sparked by the Hamas attacks on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, was announced in October last year, but conditions remain dire in Gaza, according to aid agencies.More than half of all tents and makeshift shelters are in poor condition and should be replaced, the IOM said.“With few alternatives available, many families are living in war-damaged buildings that pose serious risks to life.”The IOM highlighted the deaths of 21 people, including 12 children, when a war-damaged six-story building collapsed in Gaza City last month.“Shelter materials must enter quickly, predictably and at the scale required,” said Amy Pope, the IOM’s director general.The agency said the El Niño weather phenomenon could make this winter’s rains more intense in Gaza, which “could further weaken unsafe buildings, while heavily damaged drainage systems leave communities exposed to flooding.”Pope said current humanitarian shelter supplies would cover only 17% of Gaza’s “identified winter needs.”The IOM added that many tents, shelter kits, wood, tools and other materials positioned outside the Palestinian territory were blocked from entering.“Approximately 8,600 IOM emergency shelter kits are pre-positioned outside Gaza and ready for delivery but continue to be turned away at crossing points by the Israeli authorities,” the agency said.The World Health Organization warned in September that Gaza faces a new health crisis with the start of the rainy season, which brings increased risks from mosquitoes and the spread of disease.Israel has faced increased international criticism over conditions in Gaza and the entry of humanitarian aid but has said it is preventing the entry of items that could have military uses. It also accuses the Hamas militant group of plotting new attacks.Subscribe to our free newslettersOur weekly newsletter Closing Arguments offers the latest about ongoing trials, major litigation and rulings in courthouses around the U.S. and the world, while the monthly Under the Lights dishes the legal dirt from Hollywood, sports, Big Tech and the arts.Additional Reads