Mohammed al-Halabi is among the thousands of displaced Palestinians now living on the beaches of Gaza, a place once known for its peaceful shores, now a refuge for those forced to flee their homes due to ongoing conflict.
For many, the coastline has become a makeshift home, as the war has left them with no other option. The fragile shelters they have erected along the beach face a new threat: the relentless winter seas.
“Everything is gone. Our tent, the mattresses, the bread everything was swept away by the sea,” says Mohammed al-Halabi, who is sheltering in Deir al-Balah. “We had to save a baby who was dragged into the sea.”
According to the United Nations, nearly all of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million people is now displaced, with the vast majority living in tents. The harsh winter weather has compounded their suffering, with many falling ill due to the freezing temperatures. Floods of rainwater and raw sewage have further devastated the area.
Shaima Issa, a mother in Khan Younis, describes her family’s plight: “My children’s feet and heads are freezing. My daughter has a fever because of the cold. We’re basically living on the streets, surrounded by scraps of fabric. Everyone here is sick.”
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Her neighbor, Salwa Abu Nimer, adds, “When it rains, we’re soaked. The heavy rain floods our tents, and we don’t have waterproof coverings. We’re wearing wet clothes all the time. We have no food, no water, no shelter. This is not a life. I go to great lengths just to feed my children.”
The dire situation is especially severe in northern Gaza, but the United Nations warns that shortages of essential supplies like food, medicine, fuel, and shelter are widespread throughout the region. The situation is described as “catastrophic.”
In parts of central and southern Gaza, long lines form outside bakeries as people scramble for whatever bread is available. The desperation is palpable, and at times, the crowds become dangerously chaotic.
“I just need a loaf of bread. I suffer from diabetes and high blood pressure, and I can’t push through the crowds,” says Hanan al-Shamali, who lives in Deir al-Balah but originally came from northern Gaza. “I need to feed the orphans I care for. Every day, I come here hoping for bread. Sometimes I get some, but most of the time, I don’t.”
