Doctors Without Borders says Israel has blocked the delivery of tents and temporary housing to the war-torn enclave.
Published on January 7, 2026
Palestinians in gaza strip Respiratory infections, skin diseases and other health problems are on the rise, a humanitarian group has warned, as Israel continues to clamp down on crucial shelter supplies despite freezing winter temperatures.
Doctors Without Borders, known by its French acronym MSF, said on Wednesday that babies were “suffering from severe cold” as displaced Palestinian families live in makeshift shelters across the bombed enclave.
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“People are coping Heavy rain and strong winds While living in a temporary shelter,” the group said in a social media post.
“All the while Israel is blocking or delaying access to vital supplies such as tents, tarpaulins and temporary housing.”
Israel has blocked humanitarian aid from reaching Gaza during its genocidal war against the Palestinians, leading to widespread starvation.
Legal experts have noted that this violates Israel’s obligation, as the occupying power in the Gaza Strip, to provide for the needs of Palestinians in the territory under its control.
This violates a United States-brokered ceasefire agreement, which took effect in October, that required Israel to allow 600 aid trucks into the enclave each day.
Yet despite international protests and calls from the United Nations to allow more supplies, Israel has maintained its blockade and attempted to prevent international aid groups from operating in the region.
Israel Operating licenses cancelled 37 aid groups, including MSF and the Norwegian Refugee Council, failed to comply with the new rules requiring organizations to provide detailed information on staff members, funding and operations.
MSF said on Wednesday that the move was “a cynical attempt to prevent organizations from providing services in Palestine and a violation of Israel’s obligations under international humanitarian law”.
Israel’s continued refusal to allow sufficient aid supplies into Gaza has resulted in fierce winds, torrential rains and freezing temperatures. The area was cordoned off In recent weeks.
Millions of Palestinian families have been forced to shelter in unfurnished tents or other temporary shelters after their homes were destroyed in Israel’s war.
At least 424 Palestinians have been killed since October 11, according to the latest figures from the Palestinian Ministry of Health, as Israeli forces continue to attack Gaza despite a ceasefire.
A further 1,199 Palestinians have been injured in Israeli attacks since that date, the Gaza ministry said on Wednesday.