Child dies, families at risk as Gaza faces polar weather
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- Child dies from cold and four others killed by collapsing buildings amid polar storm in Gaza.
- Over 1.5 million Palestinians at risk, thousands of displaced families shelter in damaged structures.
- WHO urges urgent medical evacuations for more than 18,500 patients, including 4,000 children.
A one-year-old Palestinian child died from extreme cold in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza, while four others were killed when partially destroyed buildings collapsed, authorities said, as a severe polar storm began hitting the Gaza Strip.
Read more: UN warns Gaza humanitarian crisis worsens amid harsh weather
Thousands of displaced families in the Nuseirat camp and other areas have sought refuge in mosques and partially damaged buildings after their tents were destroyed by strong winds and heavy rain.
Emergency warnings
Civil Defense spokesperson Mahmoud Basal warned of a catastrophic impact from the storm, affecting more than 1.5 million people living in tents and makeshift shelters. “The situation is dire. We may record more casualties, and tents may collapse or flood,” he said. Basal urged the international community and humanitarian organizations to provide urgent aid and ensure the dignity of civilians.
Read more: WHO says 18,500, including 4,000 children, need Gaza evacuation
Harsh weather conditions
Palestinian meteorologist Laith Al-Alami said the storm, arriving Monday night through Tuesday evening, brings extremely cold polar air, heavy rain, hail, and thunderstorms, with strong winds particularly dangerous for tented communities.
Medical evacuation needs
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus reported that over 18,500 people in Gaza, including 4,000 children, urgently need medical evacuation. During the past week, 18 patients and 36 companions were evacuated to Jordan for specialized care. Ghebreyesus called on more countries to open their doors to patients from Gaza and resume evacuations to the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
Humanitarian crisis continues
Since October 7, 2023, ‘Israel’ waged a two-year genocidal campaign in Gaza, killing more than 71,000 Palestinians and injuring over 171,000, mostly women and children. Despite the first phase of the ceasefire brokered under US President Donald Trump, ‘Israel’ continues to severely restrict the entry of food, medicine, medical supplies, and shelter materials into Gaza, leaving roughly 2.4 million Palestinians living in dire conditions.
