Gaza Strip—Hamas has launched an urgent humanitarian appeal to assist two million displaced individuals in the Gaza Strip as winter approaches, emphasizing the dire conditions of their temporary shelters.

According to Namibia Press Agency, the Gaza government media office, controlled by Hamas, issued a statement on Saturday detailing the plight of the displaced populations. The statement highlighted that the approaching winter and worsening weather conditions are exacerbating the already critical situation, with many of the displaced residing in tents that are quickly deteriorating.

The statement further disclosed that there are currently 543 shelter and displacement centers across the Strip. These centers have become necessary due to what the statement calls “forced displacement by compelling citizens to evacuate their homes and safe residential neighborhoods,” a situation it describes as a violation of international law.

The conditions of the temporary shelters are alarming, with 74 percent of the tents reported as unusable. Out of 135,000 tents, 100,000 need immediate replacement. These shelters, constructed from wood, nylon, and fabric, have been severely affected by the sun’s heat and other climatic conditions, rendering them completely out of service.

Hamas’s appeal calls for urgent international attention and assistance, urging global organizations to provide immediate relief and support for those displaced.

This humanitarian crisis follows Israel’s extensive military offensive against Hamas, initiated in response to a violent incursion by Hamas into southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and the abduction of 250 others.