Gaza: The death toll from the severe cold waves in the Gaza Strip, exacerbated by the deteriorating living conditions resulting from the Israeli war on the Strip, has risen to 21 Palestinians, including 18 children. This was announced by the Government Media Office in the Gaza Strip in a statement on its official Telegram channel today, Sunday. The statement indicated that all cases were recorded in camps for internally displaced persons.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the statement warned of catastrophic humanitarian consequences as new weather systems are expected to affect the Strip this winter. “The Gaza Strip is being hit by severe cold waves amidst the ongoing siege and widespread destruction of homes and infrastructure,” the statement continued, noting that more than 1.5 million Palestinians have been displaced to camps lacking the most basic necessities for human life due to the war.

The statement emphasized that all the victims are displaced persons, with the most vulnerable groups bearing the brunt of the casualties due to the lack of heating, safe shelter, blankets, and winter clothing, as well as the continued restrictions on the entry of humanitarian aid.

The Government Media Office in Gaza warned of the repercussions of the severe cold waves and the accompanying frost, which threaten to increase the number of victims, especially among children, the sick, and the elderly, if the current humanitarian situation continues without urgent intervention.

The statement described what Palestinians in the Gaza Strip are experiencing as “slow killing” perpetrated by Israel against the residents of the Strip, calling on the international community, the United Nations, and humanitarian and human rights organizations to take immediate action to provide safe shelters and allow the entry of heating and relief supplies without restrictions to save the remaining lives.