Gaza 'dying slowly' amid collapsing buildings and severe cold Submitted by Mera Aladam on Tue, 01/13/2026 - 09:13 At least 31 Palestinians have died from harsh weather conditions since the start of the winter season A displaced Palestinian woman sits near damaged tents, amid violent storms in Gaza City, on 13 January 2026 (Dawoud Abu Alkas/Reuters) Off At least six people have died as a result of the winter conditions in Gaza over the past day, as heavy storms batter infrastructure and freezing temperatures threaten lives. According to the Palestinian health ministry in the besieged enclave, a one-year-old died from exposure, bringing the death toll for children since the start of winter to seven. Meanwhile, Gaza's civil defence announced the death of a young man after parts of al-Saraya Mosque in Gaza City fell on top of him. He is the fifth victim of collapsing buildings and walls in the past 24 hours. In total, at least 24 people have died due to storms and floods damaging buildings this season. The enclave's already fragile infrastructure, which has been largely destroyed and damaged by Israel 's ongoing bombardment for over two years, now poses a threat to more than 1.5 million displaced Palestinians. Despite a ceasefire agreement signed in October, Israel has continued its widespread demolitions in Gaza. An analysis by The New York Times revealed that Israel has demolished over 2,500 buildings since the truce deal came into effect. Additionally, civil defence spokesperson Mahmoud Basal accused Israel of restricting the entry of necessary shelter, caravans and construction materials into Gaza, compounding the natural disaster unfolding in the territory. "A new polar storm is approaching Gaza, and what lies ahead will be catastrophic," Basal warned, adding that the coming days will bring "preventable deaths". The Government Media Office in the strip stressed in its latest press release on Tuesday that "Gaza is dying slowly", adding that more than 7,000 tents were swept away in the past two days due to the strong winds and heavy rain. "This is especially concerning given the near-total lack of heating, the absence of safe shelter, and the severe shortage of blankets and winter clothing, coupled with the continued restrictions on the delivery of sufficient humanitarian aid," it added. Spread of viruses and malnutrition As hundreds of thousands across the strip have been exposed to the harsh weather conditions, health officials have warned of the spread of diseases, hypothermia and rising malnutrition. Muhammad Abu Salmiya, director of al-Shifa Medical Complex in Gaza, announced the spread of respiratory viruses that are "likely to be mutated strains of influenza or coronavirus". He reported the recent death of more than five children, as well as 10 elderly people who succumbed to respiratory issues. 'We hate winter': Palestinians face the rain without shelters as Israel blocks tents Read More » The health official described the situation in Gaza as "tragic and bleak" due to the combined effects of Israel's genocidal war and the spread of epidemics amongst the displaced. Salmiya stressed that the enclave's population is enduring a lack of immunity as famine and malnutrition continue. The World Health Organisation’s director general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, noted on Monday that more than 18,500 people from Gaza, including 4,000 children, are still in urgent need of medical evacuation. The director general of the Ministry of Health in Gaza, Muneer al-Boursh, described the current situation as the "engineering of slow death". "When genocide is managed through starvation, genocide in Gaza is no longer carried out by bombs alone," he said. He noted that much of the aid entering the strip has been non-nutritional food items , while medicine, vitamins, healthy food and infant formula are mostly denied entry. Israel has repeatedly violated the ceasefire agreement by choking aid into the blockaded territory as well as denying the majority of medical evacuation requests. The army also continues its bombardment across the enclave, demolishing homes and attacking civilians. Over 71,424 Palestinians have been killed in Israel's genocidal war on Gaza, the majority of victims civilians , according to Israel's own military data. Israel's genocide in Gaza News Post Date Override 0 Update Date Mon, 05/04/2020 - 21:19 Update Date Override 0