Three weeks into ceasefire, Gaza shelter aid still blocked as winter nears

Millions of shelter and non-food items are stuck in Jordan, Egypt, and Israel awaiting approvals, leaving around 260,000 Palestinian families, equal to nearly 1.5 million people, exposed to worsening conditions. Since the ceasefire took effect on 10 October, Israeli authorities have rejected 23 requests from nine aid agencies to bring in urgently needed shelter supplies such as tents, sealing and framing kits, bedding, kitchen sets, and blankets, amounting to nearly 4,000 pallets. Humanitarian organisations warn that the window to scale up winterisation assistance is closing rapidly. 

“We have a very short chance to protect families from the winter rains and cold,” said Angelita Caredda, Middle East and North Africa Regional Director for the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), which hosts the Shelter Cluster. “More than three weeks into the ceasefire, Gaza should be receiving a surge of shelter materials, but only a fraction of what is needed has entered. The international community must act now to secure swift and unimpeded access.” 

In 21 of the 23 rejected requests, Israeli authorities cited the claim that the organisations submitting them were ‘not authorised to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza’, including organisations which have a valid registration in Israel. Even agencies considered authorised face prolonged and opaque customs requirements. One Shelter Cluster member, despite meeting all criteria, waited more than seven months for a required ‘donation number’ from Israeli authorities needed to start customs clearance. 

More than 282,000 housing units have been damaged or destroyed across Gaza, leaving families without protection, privacy, or adequate shelter as temperatures drop. Aid agencies stress that basic shelter materials remain essential to safeguard lives while longer-term reconstruction plans are developed. 

Even when families receive shelter support, the extensive scale of destruction and risk of unexploded ordnance makes it difficult for families to find a safe area to set up a tent. Many families are facing tenure insecurity, leaving them without reliable places to set up shelters, the Housing, Land and Property Technical Working Group cautions. Loss of ownership documents or difficulties in access documentation, along with ongoing tenure disputes are affecting large numbers of displaced people.  

Women are facing particularly large obstacles. In some areas up to 83 per cent of women have lost their ownership papers and up to 80 per cent have reported experiencing discrimination when trying to reclaim or retain their property rights.   

Humanitarian partners also stress that the entry of heavy machinery is urgently required to clear an estimated 55 to 60 million tonnes of rubble. Without rubble removal and safe access, even temporary shelter installation remains severely constrained. Clearance of explosive remnants of war is also critical to ensure that people can safely return to their communities. 

“No family should face winter out in the open,” said Caredda. “Every day of delay puts lives at risk. Winter weather is on its way, and the people of Gaza have no time to lose.”  

Notes to Editors 

• The Shelter Cluster, led in the occupied Palestinian territory by NRC, coordinates the humanitarian shelter response and identifies priority needs for displaced families.
• The Housing, Land and Property Technical Working Group for Gaza, led by NRC, supports agencies on land access, tenure and displacement issues that shape safe shelter and recovery efforts.
• As of July 2025, an estimated 282,904 housing units had been damaged or destroyed (UNOSAT).
• Since the ceasefire took effect on 10 October, Israeli authorities have rejected 23 requests from nine aid agencies to bring in urgently needed shelter supplies such as tents, sealing and framing kits, bedding, kitchen sets and blankets, amounting to 3,986 pallets and 1,699 metric tonnes. In 21 of the 23 rejected requests, Israeli authorities cited the claim that the organisations submitting them were “not authorised to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza” (UN 2720 Mechanism for Gaza).
• At least 259,000 Palestinian families, more than 1.45 million people, need emergency shelter assistance (Shelter Cluster).
• The Palestinian Housing Council (PHC) assessment conducted between May and July 2025 surveyed households in Gaza City, Khan Younis, Rafah and the Middle Area. It found widespread loss of ownership papers and tenure insecurity. In Khan Younis and Rafah up to 83 per cent of women lost their ownership documents and in Gaza City 71 per cent of respondents reported losing theirs (Palestinian Housing Council).
• The same PHC assessment found high levels of gender-based barriers to housing and land rights. Between 48 and 80 per cent of women across the four governorates reported discrimination or obstacles when trying to claim or retain property (Palestinian Housing Council).
• An estimated 55 to 60 million tonnes of rubble need to be cleared in Gaza (UNDP). 

For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact:      

• NRC global media hotline: media@nrc.no +47 905 62 329