Humanitarians warn of fire threat to displaced Gaza families in temporary shelters: UN

Humanitarians have long been calling on Israel to allow more and more durable shelter supplies into the Strip.

UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 20 (Xinhua) -- UN humanitarians on Friday warned of a severe threat to the Gaza Strip displaced families from open fires used for cooking in dangerously overcrowded temporary shelters.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that families cook, sleep and store their belongings in small spaces and that the practice poses not only a threat to the community from fire but also to inhabitants' health.

"Since November 2025, our partners have recorded at least 12 fires in these shelters," said OCHA. "In the ten days leading up to 17 February, humanitarians provided shelter assistance to 85 families in Deir al Balah and Khan Younis whose shelters were damaged by a fire in Gaza city."

"Displaced families need adequate shelter to protect them from the elements and provide more privacy," the office said. "Humanitarian partners reiterate the urgent need to move towards more sustainable solutions."

Humanitarians have long been calling on Israel to allow more and more durable shelter supplies into the Strip.

The office said that in many areas within Gaza, humanitarian movements still require coordination with Israeli authorities. Of 67 movements coordinated between Feb. 12 and 19, 43 were approved and nine were denied outright. Eight missions were approved but faced impediments, of which six were fully accomplished.

In the West Bank, OCHA warned of the continued violence and other coercive practices by Israeli forces and settler communities resulting in casualties, destruction of property and displacement.

The office said that between Feb. 3 and 16, Israeli forces in the West Bank killed three Palestinians, bringing the total number this year to nine, including two children.

"During the same period, at least 86 Israeli settler attacks were recorded, during which over 60 Palestinians were injured, and some 146 people were displaced," OCHA said.

The office said that since January 2023, and as of Feb. 16, 880 Palestinian families -- over 4,700 people -- have been displaced across the West Bank due to settler attacks and access restrictions. ■