Gaza: Israeli restrictions mean entry of winter shelter materials will take over seven months

Currently, Israeli authorities allow just 15 trucks carrying items they designate as “dual-use” to enter Gaza from Jordan each week, across all humanitarian sectors. These items, which include tents and tarpaulins, can only be offloaded at Kerem Shalom – the only open crossing for aid – one day per week. 

A minimum of 500 truckloads of Israeli-designated dual-use shelter items are in the pipeline. At the current pace, under the best possible conditions, it would take more than seven months to bring in these materials.  

“Palestinians in Gaza cannot be expected to survive another winter in worn and torn tents that were never designed to withstand these conditions. This is not an unavoidable natural disaster – it is a manmade humanitarian crisis because life-saving shelter aid is blocked by the occupying power,” said NRC Secretary General Jan Egeland. “Israel has obligations to facilitate humanitarian relief, and UN member states have an obligation to press for all crossings to be opened for all aid. Donors must urgently fund our shelter response.” 

Almost 300,000 families will need shelter assistance this winter. Yet, donors have only provided or pledged 34 per cent of the 283 million USD needed to provide the minimum shelter response this winter, leaving a 186.6 million USD shortfall. Current stocks and materials in the pipeline are sufficient to provide only partial shelter and household item assistance to around 52,000 families.  

Israeli authorities continue to block items needed to make repairs and construct more resilient shelter including timber, cement and metal sheeting. Two-thirds of Gaza’s population is living in tents and makeshift shelters made of materials that deteriorate after only a few months. This has trapped humanitarians in an endless cycle of replacing worn-out tents and tarpaulins. 

Severe shortages of heavy machinery, engine oil and fuel are also slowing efforts to prevent flooding at displacement sites. An estimated 950,000 people are living in sites at medium or high risk of flooding. With Palestinians restricted to only around 35 per cent of Gaza, severe overcrowding leaves little space to relocate people voluntarily away from flood-prone areas.  

“Winter in a tent is not merely a season, but a nightmare,” said Nesma Al-Sallaq, NRC’s shelter coordinator in Gaza. “Parents tell us they can’t sleep at night because they’re so worried about keeping their children warm and safe from flooding. Every raindrop that falls fills their hearts with fear. Materials are limited, but our team is doing everything we can to stretch what we have as far as possible and reach the most vulnerable families.” 

Notes to Editors 

• Photos and videos are available for use here  

• Israeli authorities classify core shelter and household items as ‘dual-use’. These include tents, tarpaulins, timber, cement, tools, rope, duct tape and other materials used to build tents or repair shelters. This classification has led to delayed or blocked entry of essential shelter items in sufficient quantities.  

• Israeli authorities allow just 15 trucks carrying items they designate as “dual-use” to enter Gaza from Jordan each week, across all humanitarian sectors. (Palestine Shelter Cluster) 

• The Palestine Shelter Cluster, led by NRC, projects a minimum of 500 truckloads of Israeli-designated dual-use shelter items are already in the pipeline or under procurement or in the pipeline. (Palestine Shelter Cluster) 

• 294,250 families will need shelter assistance this winter. Current stocks and materials in the pipeline are sufficient to provide only partial shelter and household item assistance to around 52,000 families. The average family size is calculated as 5.6 people. (Palestine Shelter Cluster) 

• Donors have only provided or pledged 96.2 million USD for winter shelter aid. The minimum winter response requires 283 million USD (Palestine Shelter Cluster) 

• 65 per cent of Gaza’s population is living in tents and makeshift shelters. (Palestine Shelter Cluster) 

• An estimated 950,000 people are living in sites at medium or high risk of flooding. (Needs and Population Monitoring, Site Management Cluster, Palestine Shelter Cluster) 

• Israeli authorities restrict Palestinians to around 35 per cent of Gaza. (UN OCHA) 

For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact     

• NRC global media hotline: media@nrc.no, +47 905 62 329