On Friday, a coalition of more than 50 countries and organizations led by the United Kingdom, Qatar, and Jordan urged Israel to provide immediate entry of critical items for shelter, fuel, water, sanitation, and health to Gaza.
Heavy rains recently flooded tens of thousands of tents housing displaced Palestinians, prompting the World Health Organization to warn that surging respiratory illnesses in the enclave will worsen. The 53 signatories said that too many people in Gaza “risk exposure to hypothermia, respiratory infections, waterborne diseases and other preventable illnesses” as winter arrives.
The joint statement echoed recent criticism from the Board of Peace and United Nations humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher. “Acute respiratory infections are 33,000 cases higher than at the same time last year,” Dr. Reinhilde Van De Weerdt, the WHO representative for the Palestinian territory, told reporters in Geneva from Jerusalem.
Winter is hitting families in #Gaza hard, damaging shelters, community kitchens and food supplies. WFP is providing food parcels, cash and hot meals, but funding cuts are reducing assistance when families need it most. WFP's Shaun Hughes explains ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/H9NaHpLof5
Did You Know? The WHO reports that respiratory infections currently make up 11% of all medical consultations in Gaza.
“It is shocking that just a few days of rain really showed us what the coming months will bring. And winter has not even fully set in. The worst really is yet to come,” Dr. Reinhilde Van De Weerdt, the WHO representative for the Palestinian territory, said.
Today, Ireland was among 53 partners to join a Call to Action on health and humanitarian access into Gaza, led by 🇬🇧 🇶🇦 🇯🇴. As winter sets in, constraints on the entry of critical shelter items and other lifesaving supplies continue to prevent humanitarian organisations from… pic.twitter.com/9vSqfnsa1u
Overcrowding and flooding increase infection risks in Gaza
With Gaza’s residents packed into a shrinking territory, severe overcrowding and substandard living quarters are causing sickness rates to climb. Van De Weerdt elaborated that the situation has deteriorated further as Israeli forces alter the layout of the “Yellow Line,” a demarcation line set up following the US-sponsored ceasefire in October.
That shift forces people into more crowded conditions where viruses spread more easily between humans. Approximately one million displaced individuals reside in zones prone to flooding throughout Gaza, with 400,000 situated in areas categorized as facing extreme danger.
COGAT continues its winterization efforts, in coordination with the @BoardOfPeace, the @UN and international organizations, to address winter-related humanitarian needs in Gaza. So far, over 93,000 tents and more than 8,600 trucks carrying winter supplies and other essential… pic.twitter.com/iui4ZB3rnf
The WHO said flooding heightens the risk of contaminated water, while standing water gives mosquitoes and pests more places to breed. Damp conditions also promote mold and bacteria growth, increasing respiratory infection risks, particularly among young children.
COGAT reports winter supply deliveries and sanitary improvements
Following inquiries about the situation, neither the Israeli military nor COGAT—the Defense Ministry agency managing affairs in Gaza—offered an immediate reply. However, COGAT said that it stepped up efforts to improve sanitary conditions in Gaza before the heavy rain, working in coordination with international organizations.
A tent alone is not enough to protect #Palestine Refugee families in Gaza from winter weather. Families need shelter that keeps them dry, blankets, and warm clothing. Humanitarian teams need pumps, drainage equipment, spare parts, and engine oil. Yet essential supplies remain in… pic.twitter.com/ZB92xLs5Vi
According to COGAT figures, shipments reaching the strip included upward of 93,000 tents alongside 8,600 trucks loaded with winter gear and diverse vital materials. Israel has maintained that allegations that COGAT is not allowing enough supplies divert attention from Hamas’s responsibility.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s administration asserted earlier in the week that Israel was doing everything possible to facilitate the arrival of winter gear in the strip, placing the blame for unfulfilled obligations squarely on Hamas rather than Israel. Israel has also said it will not allow reconstruction work to begin until Hamas agrees to disarm and relinquish control of the enclave.
Hamas and WHO Concerns Over Aid Restrictions
Hamas municipal and civil defense officials stated they could not cope with the storm because of fuel shortages and damaged equipment. They reported that Israel destroyed hundreds of vehicles, including bulldozers and water-pumping trucks, during the war, and has since barred the entry of construction equipment during the ceasefire.
Israel is reportedly digging in over allowing the entry of dual-use items, which it states can be exploited or weaponized by terror groups in the Strip. While the majority of medicines are getting into Gaza, the WHO faces difficulty obtaining vital laboratory supplies needed to diagnose patients before treatment.
For displaced families in #Gaza, heavy rain means flooded tents, soaked mattresses and blankets, and little protection from the cold. After years of displacement, families are facing yet another winter in extremely difficult conditions. They urgently need adequate shelter, warm… pic.twitter.com/YG0BwkiAj6
“To prevent outbreaks, we really call to let laboratory equipment enter Gaza today, so that we can avoid a public health disaster on top of a disaster,” Van De Weerdt told reporters.
Which countries led the coalition and how many supplies entered Gaza?
Which countries led the coalition calling for aid access to Gaza?
The United Kingdom, Qatar, and Jordan led the coalition of more than 50 countries and organizations.
How much higher are acute respiratory infections compared to last year?
The WHO reported that acute respiratory infections are 33,000 cases higher than at the same time last year.
What items did COGAT report entering Gaza?
COGAT reported that more than 93,000 tents and 8,600 trucks carrying winter supplies and other essential equipment had entered Gaza.