Two months after the ceasefire intended to halt hostilities in Gaza, the enclave remains in a state of profound crisis, with the population enduring a relentless combination of violence, displacement, and the harsh realities of winter. Despite the formal cessation of large-scale military operations on October 11, 2025, both humanitarian organizations and local authorities report that the suffering of Gaza’s residents has only deepened amid ongoing Israeli attacks and catastrophic living conditions.
According to the Palestinian medical institution, the total number of people injured in Israeli army attacks on the Gaza Strip since the beginning of the war has reached a staggering 171,145. This figure is echoed by recent reports from Gaza’s Health Ministry, which places the number of wounded at 171,139, highlighting the scale of devastation that has unfolded since October 7, 2023. The death toll, too, is sobering: 70,663 Palestinians have been killed, with thousands more still missing and presumed buried beneath the rubble of what were once homes, schools, and places of refuge.
The situation has become even more dire in the wake of the ceasefire. Since its establishment, Israeli attacks have continued, with 391 to 393 Palestinians killed and between 1,063 and 1,068 injured, according to both the Palestinian Health Ministry and corroborating reports from the Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor and Shafaq News. In the 24 hours leading up to December 15, 2025, the Palestinian medical institution reported that the bodies of two to nine martyrs had been transferred to hospitals, and between six and 45 people had been injured in ongoing assaults. These numbers fluctuate day by day, reflecting the unpredictable and perilous environment Gazans now inhabit.
The humanitarian crisis is compounded by the widespread destruction of housing and infrastructure. The Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor reported on Monday that most of Gaza’s population remains displaced, with hundreds of thousands of homes either destroyed or rendered uninhabitable. More than half of the population—an estimated 1.5 million people—are now living in makeshift shelters, many of which are nothing more than tents or hastily constructed shacks. The onset of winter has brought new dangers: heavy rain and wind have collapsed over 20,000 tents, leaving families exposed to the elements.
Raed Al-Nims, spokesperson for the Palestinian Red Crescent, described the mounting toll of the harsh weather. He confirmed that deaths have occurred due to extreme cold and the collapse of weakened structures. Flooding has exacerbated the crisis, destroying what little shelter many families had left. "More than half of Gaza’s population is now exposed in unsafe shelters, and the risk from winter storms is only growing," Al-Nims said, as reported by Shafaq News.
Life in Gaza’s tent cities is perilous at best. Families struggle to find adequate food, clean water, and medical care. Essential supplies are in short supply, and the cold, wet conditions have led to a spike in respiratory illnesses, especially among children and the elderly. The psychological toll is also immense. Many residents have lost not only their homes but also family members, neighbors, and any sense of normalcy.
Meanwhile, reports from Palestinian media and human rights groups indicate that Israeli military operations have not ceased entirely. Violations of the October 10 ceasefire continue, with airstrikes, artillery fire, demolitions, and naval attacks targeting multiple locations across Gaza. In the past several days, Israeli military vehicles have fired east of the Jabalia refugee camp, while helicopter attacks and pre-dawn airstrikes have struck areas in eastern Gaza City and Rafah in the south. Shelling has also been reported near al-Bureij and Khan Younis, and naval vessels have opened fire offshore.
The persistence of violence has made recovery and aid efforts nearly impossible. Thousands of bodies remain trapped beneath collapsed buildings, with rescue teams unable to operate safely in many areas. Since the ceasefire began, 632 bodies have been recovered from the rubble, a grim testament to the scale of destruction and the challenges facing those who seek to bring closure to grieving families.
International organizations have repeatedly called for increased humanitarian access to Gaza, but aid deliveries remain sporadic and insufficient. The combination of ongoing hostilities, destroyed infrastructure, and severe weather has created a perfect storm of suffering. With each passing day, the risk of disease, malnutrition, and further loss of life grows.
For many Gazans, the future looks bleak. The destruction of homes and neighborhoods has left entire communities scattered and traumatized. The lack of safe shelter, coupled with the threat of renewed violence, makes even the most basic acts of daily life—finding food, staying warm, caring for children—an ongoing struggle.
Despite these challenges, there are stories of resilience and solidarity. Local organizations, often working with limited resources and under constant threat, continue to distribute aid, provide medical care, and support families in need. International attention, though intermittent, has brought some relief, with calls for ceasefire enforcement and increased humanitarian aid echoing across diplomatic channels.
Yet, as winter deepens and the conflict drags on, the people of Gaza remain trapped in a cycle of displacement and danger. The numbers—tens of thousands dead, hundreds of thousands injured, millions displaced—tell only part of the story. Behind each statistic is a human life, a family, a community struggling to endure in the face of overwhelming adversity.
As the world watches, the question remains: how much longer can Gaza’s people survive under such conditions? Without sustained international intervention and a genuine commitment to peace and reconstruction, the suffering is likely to continue, leaving a scar not only on Gaza but on the conscience of the global community.
The coming weeks will be critical. With temperatures dropping and resources dwindling, humanitarian organizations warn that immediate action is needed to prevent further catastrophe. For now, the people of Gaza wait—cold, hungry, and hopeful for an end to the violence that has defined their lives for far too long.
