UNITED NATIONS: The United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) has warned that Storm Byron has sharply worsened the already catastrophic living conditions for tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, many of whom are sheltering in flimsy tents or partially destroyed buildings.
In a statement posted on social media platform X, UNRWA said the storm has intensified risks for families forced from their homes, as heavy rain and strong winds batter overcrowded and unsafe shelters across the besieged enclave.
“Storm Byron is worsening the already dire living conditions of thousands of people living in tents or damaged shelters,” the agency said, adding that exposure to cold, flooding, and structural collapse is putting lives at immediate risk.
Our latest on the situation in 📍#Gaza and the #WestBank, including East Jerusalem:
🔹 Heavy rains and cold weather in Gaza, at least three child fatalities were reported due to cold exposure.
🔹 UNRWA teams are responding to flooding and shelter damage, but the Agency’s winter… pic.twitter.com/XIL2HBsWQe— UNRWA (@UNRWA) December 17, 2025
UNRWA said people have died after weakened buildings collapsed where families were taking refuge, while children have died from cold exposure. Thousands of tents have been flooded since last week, soaking bedding, clothing, and food supplies and leaving families without warmth or protection.
The agency stressed that its ability to respond remains severely constrained, accusing Israeli authorities of blocking UNRWA from directly bringing humanitarian aid into Gaza for months. These restrictions, it said, have drastically limited the scale of assistance reaching displaced communities.
“This must stop,” UNRWA said, calling for immediate and unhindered humanitarian access. “Aid must be allowed in at scale, now.”
Gaza’s government media office said the territory requires at least 300,000 tents and prefabricated housing units to meet the most basic shelter needs, after two years of widespread destruction to homes and infrastructure.
More than 70,000 Palestinians have been killed since Israel launched its assault on Gaza, according to local authorities. The war has devastated the enclave and displaced the vast majority of its population. A fragile ceasefire, which took effect in October, has halted large-scale fighting but has failed to ease the humanitarian emergency.
The International Criminal Court wants Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. This week, the ICC’s appeals chamber rejected Israel’s bid to block an investigation into its conduct during the war, allowing the case to move forward.
