Gaza Winter Humanitarian Crisis 2026: Survival Struggles Under New NGO Bans

The guns have mostly fallen silent, but the cold is just beginning its deadly campaign. January 3, 2026, marks a grim milestone in the Gaza Strip, where hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians are fighting for survival against freezing temperatures and a crippling lack of aid. While a truce has been in place since October 10, rights groups warn that for those living in mud-soaked tents, the war is far from over.

Freezing Metal and Broken Shelters: Gaza Winter Humanitarian Crisis 2026

The bite of winter is felt most acutely by the wounded. Assad al-Madhna, a 9-year-old who lost his hand to Israeli fire, shared a harrowing account with Al Jazeera. The metal pins holding his shattered leg in place freeze in the 8 to 12 degrees Celsius night air, turning every movement into agony. Without heating or proper medical care, thousands like him are suffering through unbearable nerve pain.

The infrastructure collapse is staggering. UN data shows that nearly 80% of buildings in the enclave have been destroyed. Of the 1.5 million residents who lost their homes, many are living in makeshift shelters. Despite requests for 300,000 tents, only 60,000 have been allowed through by Israel.

International Condemnation of the Israel Gaza NGO Ban

The humanitarian situation has been exacerbated by Israel's recent decision to suspend the operations of several international NGOs. Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary-General, expressed deep concern, noting that these restrictions delay critical supplies like food and medicine at a time when they're needed most.

Foreign ministers from across the Middle East and Asia—including Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey—issued a joint statement on Friday. They warned that 1.9 million displaced people are vulnerable to hypothermia and malnutrition. Recent storms have already caused at least 18 deaths due to building collapses and cold exposure.