Gaza residents face severe winter shelter shortages as costs rise

More than 44,000 Palestinians across Gaza are living in buildings marked for demolition as another winter approaches, Euronews reported. Residents are unable to leave the damaged structures because no alternative shelter exists in the territory. Families in Al-Mughraqa in central Gaza reported that Israel is blocking timber and shelter kits from entering the area. [1]

Prices for basic shelter materials like tarpaulin have doubled in Gaza, according to Euronews. Bombardment from neighbouring strikes has left structural cracks in homes. Residents in Al-Mughraqa explained that families are forced to crowd their mattresses into single dry corners of leaky rooms when rain falls. [1]

The coastal territory of Gaza historically forms one of the five ancient city-states of Philistia. Gaza remains severely impacted by recent military activity. As FTMQ News reported earlier, recent strikes in Gaza have targeted temporary shelters, including an attack on a tent in Khan Younis. [9][11]

The lack of adequate shelter comes alongside broader humanitarian issues in the territory. Anadolu Ajansi reported that the Gaza Health Ministry recorded 466 Palestinian deaths from starvation since 2024. [4]