UN warns of humanitarian crisis as Gaza faces winter without shelter

On October 9, 2026, the United Nations and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) issued a stark warning regarding the living conditions of approximately two million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. As the region approaches winter, officials estimate that nearly 1.8 million people lack adequate protection from rain, flooding, and cold weather, marking the fourth consecutive winter of such hardship.

IOM Director General Amy Pope highlighted that current humanitarian aid efforts are meeting only 17% of the recorded shelter needs. More than half of the existing tents and makeshift shelters are reportedly in poor condition and require immediate replacement. The agency identified a severe lack of funding and persistent restrictions imposed by Israeli authorities on the entry of construction materials as the primary obstacles to alleviating the crisis.

To prevent further suffering, the IOM is demanding immediate, predictable, and sufficient access for the delivery of shelter materials into the enclave. The situation remains critical as aid agencies struggle to navigate ongoing access limitations one year after the ceasefire agreement of October 2025.