Gaza: The UN refugee agency (UNRWA) issued a warning Thursday about the dire situation facing hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians in Gaza, as intense rains and strong winds threaten them with cold.

According to Anadolu Agency, the prolonged Israeli war, which continued for more than 15 months until a ceasefire took hold on Jan. 19, has already left these people without homes. 'Many families remain in makeshift shelters due to widespread destruction,' the agency stated, highlighting the pressing need for assistance.

Heavy rain and strong winds in Gaza have left hundreds of thousands exposed to cold and wet conditions in the past 24 hours. UNRWA reported that its teams are working tirelessly to deliver 'urgent and long-awaited aid-tents, mattresses, blankets, and clothing-to displaced people across Gaza.'

A video released by the agency depicted strong winds uprooting tents made of cloth and nylon, scattering belongings in the Al Mawasi area, northwest of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip. Earlier, Hamas spokesman Abdel Latif al-Qanoua described the conditions as 'harsh and catastrophic,' further exacerbating the already dire situation caused by the war-related destruction.

'The catastrophic reality in Gaza due to winter and the weather conditions requires international pressure and urgent action to compel the (Israeli) occupation to implement humanitarian protocols,' al-Qanoua urged.

According to an Anadolu reporter on the ground, the overnight rain flooded tents and shelters in both northern and southern Gaza, worsening the humanitarian conditions for Palestinians residing in makeshift accommodations. Survivors of the conflict are seeking shelter in tents made of cloth and nylon in various areas of Gaza, including Al Mawasi and among the ruins of their homes.

Many displaced Palestinians are also finding refuge on roads, sports fields, public squares, and schools, without any means of protection against the cold and storms. According to the media office in the enclave, the Israeli army has destroyed nearly 88% of Gaza's infrastructure over the course of the war, affecting homes, vital facilities, and public services, with the conflict claiming more than 47,000 Palestinian lives thus far.