More than 50 British MPs demand fresh sanctions on Israel over Gaza aid obstruction

In Gaza, a winter "crisis" has been artificially created by Israel, according to NGOs and mutual aid groups. Tens of thousands of tents and other supplies, including coats, blankets, and pallets, sit in warehouses outside Gaza due to Israeli restrictions on aid deliveries. The UN aid coordination office confirmed that 150,000 tents are waiting outside Gaza, but they haven't received the necessary approvals to enter the territory.

Israel has long restricted the import of shelter and construction materials, labeling vital equipment as "dual use." In recent months, the flow of aid trucks carrying shelter items has dropped significantly, from 908 in December 2025 to just 409 in January 2026. The Rafah crossing, which was closed to aid in May, and the Kerem Shalom crossing, the only route into Gaza open to aid, have seen minimal aid flow.

This is part of Israel's plan to force Palestinians out by denying them the aid they need, according to the Norwegian Refugee Council. Shaina Low, a representative of the NRC, stated that at the current rate of entry of dual-use items, it would take seven months for the winter aid stored in warehouses outside the strip to enter Gaza.

International NGOs have been banned from operating in Gaza, making it difficult for them to bring in aid and international staff. Palestinian-led mutual aid groups, such as the Sameer Project, have stepped in to purchase tents on the market and distribute them, but scarcity has driven prices up by 52 percent. The quality of the tents has also deteriorated due to Palestinians being forced to reuse old materials.