Nearly two million Palestinians in Gaza face severe winter conditions

In Gaza Strip, a series of Israeli military strikes on December 22, 2024, resulted in the deaths of at least 17 Palestinians, with damaged civilian infrastructure including a school and a hospital. The attacks began early in the morning, targeting the Musa Bin Nusayr School in Gaza City, where the Israeli military claimed Hamas militants were operating from a command center but provided no evidence. In addition to the school, an assault on Kamal Adwan Hospital allegedly targeted its power generators and other critical medical facilities, forcing the individuals sheltering there to seek safety amid ongoing bombardment. The continuous airstrikes left dozens injured and sparked international outrage. Pope Francis, in a Christmas address, condemned the killing of children in the conflict, stating it was not warfare but cruelty, shedding light on the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza. His remarks were met with pushback from Israel's foreign ministry, which asserted that terrorists were using civilians as shields. As winter begins, nearly two million displaced Palestinians face severe weather conditions, underscoring the dire need for humanitarian aid that has been notably insufficient. Aid workers report shortages of blankets, clothing, and other essentials, heightening fears that many families will not survive the harsh winter months in makeshift shelters. The United Nations has acknowledged the humanitarian crisis, describing efforts to deliver aid as strangled, with significant quantities of supplies trapped outside the region due to logistical constraints. The situation remains particularly critical, as more than 45,000 Palestinians have already died since the outbreak of conflict following the October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, in which over 1,200 Israelis were killed. The ongoing conflict continues to exacerbate the humanitarian situation, and the need for external support remains urgent. Without immediate action and intervention from the international community, the prospects for survival for many families in Gaza are grim, especially as winter progresses and conditions deteriorate further.