Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for an urgent increase in humanitarian assistance for Gaza after heavy rainfall flooded thousands of makeshift shelters, leaving displaced families exposed to cold and hunger.
According to the details shared by the prime minister, around 70,000 tents were damaged in the rain, affecting around 350,000 displaced Palestinians who have been sheltering in temporary structures. He described rain-soaked tents, displaced children without shelter, and families struggling with extreme cold and hunger as deeply distressing.
The prime minister strongly condemned Israel’s continued aggression, repeated ceasefire violations and breaches of international law, saying Palestinians were being deprived of essential humanitarian assistance. He directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to use all possible channels to ensure an immediate increase in relief supplies for the people of Gaza.
The scale of the damage underlines how exposed displaced families are. Tents offer little protection against heavy rain, and when thousands of shelters are damaged at once, families are left without a dry place to sleep. For children and the elderly, the combination of cold, wet conditions and limited food makes the situation worse, and aid workers have repeatedly warned that temporary shelter cannot cope with winter weather.
Hamas, meanwhile, attributed the worsening situation to Israel’s blockade, saying restrictions on the entry of aid had aggravated the crisis for displaced families. The group said families urgently need safe shelters instead of temporary tents, and accused Israel of obstructing the entry of emergency shelters, heating equipment and materials needed to repair damaged structures.
According to Hamas, Gaza needs around 300,000 tents, and it urged mediators and guarantor countries to ensure the uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian assistance. The appeal comes as winter conditions add to the hardship of hundreds of thousands of people already displaced, with aid agencies warning that temporary shelters offer little protection against rain and cold.
The prime minister’s call adds to the growing international concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza, where displaced families continue to rely on tents and temporary shelter while access to relief supplies remains limited. The Foreign Ministry has now been asked to press every available channel so that more relief can reach the people who need it.
Leave a Reply