Gaza officials warn of imminent 'humanitarian catastrophe' as winter approaches

Gaza officials warn of imminent 'humanitarian catastrophe' as winter approaches

Gaza’s Government Media Office has accused Israel of violating its commitments under the Gaza ceasefire agreement, saying the continued violations have worsened the humanitarian crisis as the ceasefire approaches its first anniversary.

Israel had committed 5,147 violations that killed 1,421 Palestinians, injured 4,983 and caused the arrest of 198 people, the office said. 

It also said 72,826 aid trucks had entered Gaza of an expected 210,600 under the agreement, while only 13,785 people had been allowed to travel in and out of the territory of an expected 35,000.

As winter approaches, the office warned of a “certain humanitarian catastrophe” as more than 1.5 million displaced Palestinians live in worn-out tents. 

It said 162,000 of Gaza’s estimated 270,000 tents were already unusable and warned that more than 255 damaged buildings were in danger of collapse.

The office appealed to the international community and the UN agencies to intervene urgently, fully open Gaza’s crossings, facilitate medical evacuations and allow winter relief supplies into the territory.