Gaza fire kills grandmother and grandson in displacement camp

A devastating fire in a Gaza City displacement camp claimed the lives of a grandmother and her 5‑year‑old grandson. According to the Palestinian Civil Defence in Gaza, the tragedy occurred on Thursday night when their tent caught fire. The victims, Amal Abu al‑Khair and her grandson, were among hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians struggling to endure the harsh winter weather in makeshift housing.

The blaze erupted in the Yarmouk displacement camp while Amal’s son, Muhammad, was cooking dinner in the nylon tent. Strong winter winds fed the flames, making the fire impossible to control. The tent, which served as both living and cooking space, was packed with flammable materials such as plastic utensils, creating a hazardous environment. Mona Abu al‑Khair, a relative of the victims, explained that hot cooking oil ignited and spread rapidly; Muhammad’s poor eyesight and the confined space prevented him from containing the fire. Despite his mother’s attempts to extinguish it, the fire engulfed the entire tent, leaving Muhammad with third‑degree burns and in critical condition.

The tragedy highlights the dire living conditions faced by displaced Palestinians in Gaza, especially during the harsh winter months. In recent weeks, cold rains have caused flooding, turned dirt roads into mud, and led to the collapse of damaged buildings. According to the United Nations children’s agency, at least six children have died in Gaza in December due to extreme winter conditions and a lack of safe shelters.

Aid groups warn that insufficient shelter materials are being allowed into Gaza during the truce, worsening the humanitarian crisis. While Israel’s military disputes claims that it has failed to meet the ceasefire stipulation of permitting 600 trucks of aid daily, the situation on the ground remains dire. The incident underscores the urgent need to address the plight of displaced Palestinians in Gaza, who continue to struggle to access basic necessities such as safe shelter and humanitarian aid.