UN Warns of Deepening Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza Amid Winter Rains
The United Nations has issued a warning about the worsening humanitarian conditions in Gaza as the onset of winter rains and cold weather intensifies hardships for residents. Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, said the new weather system poses a serious risk of hypothermia, particularly for children and infants. He added that the UN is distributing nearly 8,000 pieces of winter clothing to Gaza residents daily, and hundreds of families have been relocated from flood-prone areas to safer zones.
Haq also noted that the delivery of educational materials to Gaza continues to face disruptions. Since the beginning of December, approximately 260,000 people have received food aid through 60 distribution centers, including locations in northern Gaza. In addition, for the first time since August, veterinary teams have been deployed to Gaza to assess the condition of animals.
Highlighting the growing number of security incidents, which he said are endangering both civilians and aid workers, Haq reported that a medical center in the Al-Maghazi area had been targeted. He stated that the facility is located in a part of Gaza commonly referred to as the “zero line” area. According to data from Gaza’s Ministry of Health, more than half of all essential medicines are now out of stock, with critical shortages in surgical supplies and vital medical equipment.
Responding to a question from Al-Quds Al-Arabi newspaper regarding recent violations by Israeli forces in Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon, Haq emphasized that all parties, including Israel, must adhere to international legal standards. He stressed that all civilian casualties must be investigated and held accountable. Regarding developments in southern Yemen, he said that during upcoming trips to Oman and Saudi Arabia, the UN Secretary-General would review the expansion of influence by the Southern Transitional Council, and reiterated the UN’s insistence on preserving Yemen’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
