On 1 January, a fire tore through a makeshift encampment near Gaza’s Yarmouk Stadium. A young woman and her young child were killed in the tragedy, and several others were injured. Meanwhile, in Nuseirat camp, central Gaza, a young child — Malak Rami Ghneim — died from the freezing cold.
Life in the balance as the harsh winter settles
The bodies of the young mother and her child were recovered by Civil Defense, who evacuated five others suffering severe injuries. According to Gaza health sources, the fire was caused by candles lit inside the tent during a prolonged power outage and heavy rain.
Recent weeks have seen a rise in fires tearing through makeshift encampments in Gaza. Displaced families are increasingly relying on candles and rudimentary solutions, lacking safer lighting alternatives. With Israel still blocking fuel shipments and no access to solar panels, these families have no other option.
Tents become death traps
The closure of border crossings and restrictions on construction materials and heating supplies have deepened the crisis and daily suffering.
Israel continues to block the entry of tent poles and mobile homes as the need for temporary housing grows.
Tents — once asymbol of Palestinian resilience — have now become death traps, with displaced families caught between fire hazards and the harsh winter.
Worse yet, countless breaches recorded since the ceasefire came in effect in October, have claimed the lives of 416 Palestinians and injured 1,153 others, according to official health sources.
Deepening humanitarian crisis
Fire hazards from makeshift heating and lighting, coupled with freezing temperatures, are claiming lives, particularly among children and the elderly. Meanwhile, basic necessities like blankets and safe heating remain in critical shortage.
These tragedies underscore the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where shortages force residents into life-threatening choices — as the world looks the other way.
Featured image via AFP/WAFA News Agency
By Alaa Shamali
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