Staying warm in Gaza... is like a struggle for survival

2024-01-27 2024-01-27T10:10:53Z

Weather of Arabia - The tragic humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip are worsening with the continuation of the aggression, as the risk of famine is rapidly increasing as a result of the shortage of food and water supplies, in addition to the impact of the severe cold affecting the tents of the displaced in the south of the Strip, making the situation heading towards a greater and more complex deterioration.

A story from Gaza... under the weight of the bitter cold

Nearly eight months pregnant, Israa , her husband, and their five-year-old son had to flee the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood in northern Gaza as a result of Israeli bombing in late October. They walked more than three kilometers (1.86 miles) to Al-Shifa Hospital. People were seeking shelter there, carrying only a few shirts and light pants, anticipating that they would soon return to their home.

In a nearby hospital, Israa gave birth to her baby girl, and received stitches without painkillers. Israa complains:

“I begged the doctor to give me painkillers, and it was very painful for me.”

Two months later, Israa, who is 28 years old, and her family are living in one of the temporary tents in Deir al-Balah in central Gaza, where they have no way to protect their newborn from the extreme cold and rain. Israa says, while holding her daughter in her lap, her skin pale and yellow, About their ordeal during the difficult days and cold nights inside the tent.

A couple struggles to keep their infant daughter warm in light of the harsh living conditions and the lack of warm clothes and blankets. They cannot take her outside near the burning fires to keep warm, as the smoke causes breathing difficulties for the infant.

“That day, she was constantly coughing from the wood smoke until she turned blue,”

Israa points out with a trembling voice:

"We were very afraid that she would lose her life. I worry greatly about my daughter, and so far she has not been vaccinated."

Meanwhile, Salim Al-Jamlan, Israa’s husband, recounts their challenges, saying:

“The cold hampers our movement. We were not able to take clothes with us, not even our personal documents. It is very cold at night. We hug tightly because there is no source of warmth.”

As the Israeli attack on Gaza continues for weeks, about two million internally displaced people in the Strip are suffering from the challenges of winter.

The cold struggle in Gaza is like a struggle for survival

Winter in Gaza lasts from December to March, with temperatures dropping to eight degrees Celsius in January as heavy rains and cold winds accompany the period, making survival increasingly difficult for people in tents.

In mid-December, heavy rains and strong winds flooded the fragile tents, drowning the clothes and blankets of people who were taking temporary shelter as shelter.

A number of people in northern Gaza were forced to leave their homes due to the war, and while the weather was still warm, people resorted to fleeing, wearing summer clothes. With many housing units destroyed or damaged, people being prevented from returning to their neighborhoods, and aid arriving with difficulty, the displaced are suffering. The Palestinians face many problems and challenges that make obtaining warmth more like a struggle for survival.

Salim Al-Jamlan, Israa’s husband, recounts their challenges:

“The cold hampers our movement. We were not able to take clothes with us, not even our personal documents.

"It's very cold at night. We hug each other tightly because there is no source of warmth."

While health risks for children in Gaza are exacerbated, especially in light of malnutrition and constant exposure to cold, health conditions are greatly affected, and people live under the pressure of difficult conditions and lack of resources.