Recently, the world's attention has been drawn to the rapid expansion of the war front between Israel and Lebanon, coinciding with the first anniversary of the Israeli war on Gaza. In light of these developments, the world is preparing to receive the cold and rainy winter. Markets are crowded with buyers seeking to buy warm clothes and waterproof shoes, in addition to preparing heating devices for their homes. For their part, municipalities are working to maintain rainwater drainage and sewage networks to avoid road closures or the spread of epidemics resulting from the accumulation of shallow water.

However, in Gaza, the conditions are completely different. The residents of the Strip, most of whom are displaced, live in dilapidated tents that are uninhabitable or in overcrowded shelters that lack the most basic necessities of life. In these harsh conditions, electricity and water have become luxuries that they cannot obtain, while cooking with gas or providing heating has become a distant dream. The displaced in Gaza are looking for suitable tents to protect them from the summer heat and the winter cold, and for basic sources of food and water to ensure their survival.

In this context, the Government Media Office in Gaza launched an urgent humanitarian distress call to save more than two million displaced people from the dangers of winter. It pointed out that 100,000 tents out of 135,000 have become unusable due to their deterioration. The Ministry of Social Development also warned of the risk of death of thousands of children, the elderly and the sick due to the severe cold and the lack of heating and basic medicines. Concerns are also growing about the spread of epidemics due to the accumulation of waste, sewage and rain.

Since the beginning of the war on Gaza on October 7, 2023, Israeli forces have destroyed approximately 165,000 meters of sewage and storm water drainage networks, in addition to almost completely destroying road networks and all municipal machinery. As a result, municipalities and government agencies find themselves unable to meet the needs of the population, especially in light of the ongoing blockade.

Despite these challenges, Gaza Municipality workers, in cooperation with citizens and international organizations, continue their efforts to clean up the remaining sewage networks to mitigate the expected disaster as the rains intensify and temperatures drop in the coming days. Gazans remain hopeful that an agreement will be reached that will do justice to their cause and return them to a life free from the smell of death and destruction.