Gaza Herald – Gaza’s Ministry of Public Works and Housing says Israel is allowing only 5% of the shelter and relief supplies actually needed by displaced Palestinians to enter the besieged Strip, deepening an already catastrophic housing crisis.
Thousands of displaced families continue to live in overcrowded and deteriorating tents, many of which have become worn out after months of exposure to harsh weather and prolonged displacement.
Shelters are also facing severe shortages of drinking water, basic water supplies and food parcels, leaving families struggling to meet even the most basic requirements for survival.
The ministry said it is examining plans to establish new temporary shelters using reinforced fiber materials, with engineering measures intended to reduce the impact of Gaza’s extreme temperatures. It is also assessing shelter needs in Al-Mawasi and northern Gaza and preparing to replace damaged tents and essential supplies.
The worsening shelter crisis comes as Palestinians continue to live amid widespread destruction of homes and civilian infrastructure. For families who have already been displaced repeatedly, the lack of adequate shelter leaves women, children, elderly people and other vulnerable civilians exposed to further hardship.
Gaza’s authorities are calling for urgent international and Arab action to lift restrictions on the crossings and ensure the regular entry of shelter materials, engineering supplies and other essential relief items.
For Gaza’s displaced families, temporary shelter is not a luxury, it is a basic necessity for survival, safety and human dignity.
