• At least 8 people have died in Gaza due to building collapses caused by severe storm conditions.
• Hundreds of thousands of displaced people are suffering from inadequate shelter and extreme cold.
• Healthcare in Gaza is deteriorating, with increasing cases of cold-related illnesses and malnutrition.

A new storm in Gaza has tragically resulted in at least eight deaths, as heavy rainfall and winds exacerbate the plight of residents living in already damaged structures. This devastating weather system has collapsed buildings previously weakened by Israeli airstrikes, according to Al Jazeera.

According to reports, the fatalities included a one-year-old child who died from exposure in a tent in Deir al-Balah and five others, including two women and a young girl, who perished when structures collapsed near Gaza City’s beachfront. Witnesses reported that strong winds uprooted tents, leaving families scrambling for safety amidst rising floodwaters, as detailed by Anadolu Agency and Reuters.

Local officials have indicated that conditions are dire for those displaced by ongoing conflicts, with reports showing that over 127,000 of the 135,000 tents used for shelter are unsuitable for habitation. The weather has exposed critical shortages of blankets and heating materials, affecting the most vulnerable populations in the Gaza Strip according to Middle East Eye and Anadolu Agency.

Health officials have reported a surge in patients suffering from cold-related illnesses, particularly among children and the elderly. Al-Shifa Medical Complex's director stated that respiratory viruses are spreading among the displaced, exacerbating the existing humanitarian crisis, and highlighting the acute need for adequate healthcare and shelter, as noted by Middle East Eye.

Despite ongoing calls from humanitarian organizations and local authorities for increased aid and shelter materials, restrictions imposed by Israel have severely limited the delivery of necessary support, prolonging the suffering of Gaza's population. The hardships faced by the residents during this winter storm underline the broader humanitarian crisis impacting millions in the region, as reported by Al Jazeera, Reuters, and Middle East Eye.