'It feels like hell': Gaza families battle suffocating summer heat in tents

What Happened

Displaced Palestinians in Gaza are facing severe health and environmental challenges as summer temperatures rise, with many living in makeshift tents that lack ventilation and basic sanitation. Residents report that high humidity and temperatures exceeding 35°C, combined with overflowing sewage and accumulated waste, have led to widespread skin diseases, including scabies and fungal infections. According to Unicef, approximately 1.9 million of Gaza's 2.1 million residents remain displaced, with many living in shelters that offer little protection from the elements following the destruction of over 81 percent of the territory's buildings during the ongoing conflict.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The degradation of Gaza's water, sanitation, and hygiene infrastructure, coupled with the destruction of urban canopy and housing, has created a public health crisis. The inability of displaced populations to access clean water or adequate shelter during extreme heat exacerbates the humanitarian impact of the conflict, as the lack of basic services facilitates the spread of disease and increases mortality risks beyond direct combat.

Watch For

Monitor reports from international aid agencies regarding the prevalence of heat-related illnesses and skin diseases in displacement camps, as well as any changes to the current restrictions on the entry of emergency shelter and sanitation supplies into the Gaza Strip.