En 
Ar 
The humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip continues to worsen as residents face extreme conditions and a lack of basic necessities. On Friday, December 20, Palestinian infant Aisha Adnan Al-Qassas tragically died from severe cold inside a tent in the Mawasi area of Khan Yunis, according to medical sources.
The child’s death underscores the dire conditions facing displaced families in Gaza, where access to essential materials, such as heating supplies, remains critically limited.
The displacement crisis has left hundreds of thousands of residents struggling to survive amidst ongoing conflict and harsh winter conditions. Women Journalists Without Chains (WJWC) condemned the obstruction of relief aid to the region, calling it an illegal strategy by Israel to impose life-threatening conditions on civilians. WJWC described the situation as part of a broader policy to achieve the total or partial extermination of the population.
The Palestinian Civil Defense Authority recently warned about heavy rains and low-pressure weather systems expected to worsen conditions for displaced residents living in tents. Last month, similar rainfall caused significant damage to makeshift shelters, further exposing displaced residents to life-threatening risks.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that over 450,000 people in Gaza live in areas prone to flooding, particularly in Khan Yunis, Deir al-Balah, and Rafah. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) also raised concerns about rising risks of malnutrition and disease during the winter, warning that half a million people are at risk of drowning in floods and sewage water.
Genocidal Precedents
The Israeli occupation army persistently denies civilians access to essential relief supplies crucial for their survival. This is achieved through illegal and arbitrary tactics that severely restrict the entry of aid. Furthermore, the destruction of vital infrastructure is employed to obstruct aid trucks, while civilians waiting for assistance become targets in this calculated strategy.
International organizations have accused the Israeli army of depriving civilians in Gaza of essential relief supplies by imposing arbitrary restrictions on aid deliveries, destroying infrastructure to block humanitarian trucks, and targeting civilians waiting for relief. Human Rights Watch (HRW) reported on December 19 that Israeli authorities have deliberately restricted access to water in Gaza since October 2023, preventing the entry of critical water-related aid, including water purification systems and materials to repair damaged water infrastructure. HRW concluded that the deliberate deprivation of water has likely caused thousands of deaths and constitutes crimes against humanity, including genocide.
In November, the World Food Programme warned of an imminent famine in northern Gaza due to widespread displacement, disrupted trade, destroyed infrastructure, and challenging conditions for UNRWA. Aid reductions have caused food prices to double recently, reaching nearly ten times pre-conflict levels, according to Jan-Martin Bauer, director of food security and nutrition analysis. He emphasized that global attention and immediate action are crucial for Gaza.
Genocide by Destruction of Living Conditions
The United Nations' 1946 resolution defines genocide to include "intentionally causing damage to the living conditions of a group with the intent to physically destroy the group in whole or in part." Article 6, paragraph C, of the Rome Statute further clarifies that genocide occurs when "living conditions are intended to bring about the physical destruction of the group, in whole or in part" and when such actions "are part of a clear pattern of similar conduct directed against the group."
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued a preliminary ruling on January 26, 2024, calling on Israel to "take all measures to prevent any acts that may be considered genocide" and to "ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid." Despite this, Israel has refused to comply with the ICJ's decision. Reports reviewed by WJWC reveal that Israeli occupation authorities have taken tactical measures to limit the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza, actions interpreted as contributing to the systematic extermination of the population.
Women Journalists Without Chains has issued an urgent appeal to the international community. The organization is calling for effective pressure on Israel to immediately facilitate unrestricted humanitarian aid to Gaza, in compliance with international legal obligations. WJWC also demands enforcement of the ICJ's decisions to halt acts of genocide in Gaza and ensure accountability for those responsible for these crimes.
