TPC Staff
The Palestine Chronicle / August 21, 2026
Nearly all of Gaza’s 2.1 million residents need shelter as Israeli attacks and restrictions continue worsening already catastrophic living conditions.
94 percent of Gaza needs shelter
Ninety-four percent of Gaza’s 2.1 million residents are in need of shelter, while Israeli strikes, shelling and gunfire continue across the besieged enclave, the United Nations said on Thursday.
More than four out of five families are living in critical or catastrophic conditions, lacking fuel, energy and basic household items, according to UN agencies and humanitarian partners.
“These constraints affect people’s ability to sleep, their ability to cook, their ability to wash, their ability to store food and water, maintain adequate lighting, and cope with heat and cold,” UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said nearly two-thirds of families are currently living in tents or makeshift shelters designed only for temporary use and which deteriorate rapidly when exposed to harsh weather.
The situation is particularly concerning as humanitarian agencies prepare for the coming cold and rainy season. More than 70 percent of families experienced flooding last winter, according to the UN.
“We continue to face obstacles in bringing the level of more structured shelter into Gaza,” Dujarric said. “Ahead of the cold and rainy season, our humanitarian partners are working to ensure adequate shelter for families.”
The UN said humanitarian organizations face both severe funding shortages and Israeli restrictions on the entry of construction materials and equipment.
Partners estimate that approximately $562 million is required to improve living conditions across Gaza.
