Fri Dec 20 11:02:10 UTC 2024: ## Gaza Winter Brings Despair, Not Blessings, as Millions Suffer

**GAZA CITY** – The winter season, once a time of joy and bounty in Gaza, has become a season of suffering and despair for millions of Palestinians. Heavy rains and cold weather have exacerbated the already dire humanitarian crisis, leaving at least two million people struggling for survival.

What were once cherished winter traditions – children singing joyfully in the rain, families gathering for warm meals and cozy evenings – are now distant memories. The iconic Abu Al Saoud dessert shop is closed, and the markets are bare. Food prices have skyrocketed, making even basic staples like flour unaffordable for many. Meat and fish have vanished, and vegetables and fruit are scarce and exorbitantly priced. Aid organizations like UNRWA and the World Food Programme are overwhelmed, unable to meet the immense need.

The rains, once a blessing for farmers, have become a curse. Many live in flimsy shelters made of textiles and salvaged materials, barely able to withstand the wind and rain. Families spend nights desperately reinforcing their makeshift homes, fearing floodwaters and the collapse of their shelters. Those who have lost their homes are forced to seek refuge in damaged buildings, risking their safety. The cost of replacing damaged shelters is prohibitive.

The cold is further compounded by hunger. Families are forced to ration meager meals of chickpeas, lentils, and rice, leaving children crying out for food at night. The price of wood for heating has soared to $9 per kilogram, making it inaccessible for most.

“The sound of thunder has become like the sound of bombs – it terrifies,” said one resident. The situation is described as utter despair, with many clinging to the flickering hope that the ongoing conflict will end, bringing food security and proper shelter. The author concludes by expressing the deep suffering of the Palestinian people and their longing for the return of “khayr and baraka” – goodness and blessings – to Gaza.

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