UN relief chief urges immediate winter aid for Gaza, rejects political delays

UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher urged the immediate delivery of winter supplies to Gaza on November 11, rejecting calls to wait for a new Israeli government as Palestinians face dangerous conditions without adequate shelter.

In a statement published by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Fletcher said warnings about winter needs had been made for months, including at the UN General Assembly. He said foreign ministers and partners had first cited Israeli elections as an obstacle to progress and were now asking him to await government formation.

Fletcher said that was not an acceptable justification under international humanitarian law. He blamed delays, restrictions and funding reductions for lost lives and continuing risks, saying better shelter and timely supplies could have reduced the danger posed by the weather.

He also said Palestinians had been denied access to open land with a lower risk of flooding. His appeal called for every crossing to open, permission for non-governmental organisations to operate, functioning commercial markets and funding for the supply plan.

The requested assistance goes beyond protection from cold and rain. Alongside durable shelter, clothing, bedding and blankets, Fletcher listed safe heating equipment and generators, with fuel, spare parts and engine oil to support their operation.

The plan also includes machinery for pumping out water, clearing debris and removing explosive ordnance. Those requests address drainage and clearance needs as well as the immediate need to keep families warm and sheltered.

The National, citing a UN report, said recent severe weather had destroyed over 6,000 family shelters and damaged a further 17,400. More than 3,900 households were left with no shelter, the newspaper reported.

Citing Unicef estimates, the newspaper said roughly 1.7 million people, out of Gaza's population of 2.2 million, were staying in tents, improvised accommodation or damaged buildings exposed to flooding, cold or collapse. Nearly one million lived in flood-risk areas, including around 400,000 where flooding was considered extremely likely.

The National also reported that the Board of Peace had urged Israel to admit essential aid after heavy rain and flooding. Israel's government responded by reaffirming support for Donald Trump's peace plan and accusing Hamas of holding up its implementation, according to the newspaper.