The death toll in Gaza due to severe cold weather has risen to over 15 since the start of the winter season, according to Palestinian medical sources. The majority of the victims are reportedly children and elderly individuals, succumbing to the harsh conditions faced by displaced persons.
These vulnerable populations are struggling within tents and shelters ill-equipped to withstand the freezing temperatures. The latest fatalities include an infant in Deir al-Balah, in the central Gaza Strip, and a two-month-old baby, Mohammed Wissam Abu Harbid, in Gaza City, who died early this morning due to the extreme cold.
Sources warn that the number of fatalities could increase as the severe weather persists and heating resources remain scarce. A powerful storm, which began impacting the region on Friday morning, has brought heavy rain and strong winds, exacerbating the suffering of thousands of displaced people living in flimsy tents.
The ongoing conflict in Gaza has devastated much of the region’s infrastructure. According to the United Nations, over three-quarters of buildings have been destroyed. Hundreds of thousands remain in unsuitable living conditions, particularly after a previous storm struck the area in early December.
Despite a ceasefire brokered by the United States coming into effect on October 10, 2025, Israeli military operations continue in some areas of Gaza. The US administration is expected to announce the members of a peace council in the coming days, tasked with overseeing the region under a plan proposed by US President Donald Trump.
The dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, compounded by the severe weather, highlights the urgent need for increased aid and improved living conditions for the displaced population. International organizations are being called upon to provide immediate assistance to mitigate the impact of the crisis.
