The government media office in Gaza has issued a dire warning regarding the humanitarian crisis facing two million displaced Palestinians as winter approaches. With 74% of the tents designated for the displaced becoming unusable, urgent action is needed to replace the 100,000 tents that are deteriorating. The situation has been exacerbated by Israel's closure of crossings, which has prevented the entry of nearly a quarter of a million tents and caravans. This ongoing Israeli aggression has led to widespread destruction, with over a million people losing their homes, according to World Bank data.
The humanitarian disaster in Gaza is further highlighted by the American Rand Corporation's study, which estimates that rebuilding the region could cost over $80 billion. The war has resulted in 42 million tons of rubble, enough to fill more than 1.3 million trucks, with the removal process alone costing more than $700 million. Complicating matters are unexploded ordinances and hazardous materials that litter the area, making the cleanup efforts dangerous and labor-intensive.
The impact of the war extends beyond physical destruction. More than 70% of housing in Gaza has been damaged, leading to significant social upheaval, with countless families torn apart and over 17,000 children left orphaned. The International Labour Organization estimates that 25% of the fatalities in Gaza were working-age men, leaving many families without their primary breadwinners. As the winter season approaches, the urgency for humanitarian aid and rebuilding efforts in Gaza has never been more critical.
