Palestinian Scholars Urge Immediate Action to Save Gaza and Hebron from Winter Crisis

Palestinian scholars have issued an urgent appeal to global governments, Islamic communities, and humanitarian organizations to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and Hebron as winter approaches.

The appeal, made on Thursday, highlights the plight of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians who have lost their homes due to conflict and siege, now facing their fourth winter in makeshift tents.

These tents, worn out by sun and wind, offer little protection from rain and floods, exacerbating the destruction of sanitation networks and basic services. This situation poses a significant risk of disease spread and increased suffering, particularly among children, women, and the sick.

The scholars emphasized the moral and legal obligation to provide immediate relief, shelter, and protection from the cold and flooding. They warned that delaying necessary assistance, despite the ability to provide it, constitutes a dereliction of duty towards endangered lives.

The call urges Arab and Islamic governments to swiftly secure financial and logistical resources for temporary housing, weather-resistant tents, insulation materials, heating supplies, and mechanisms for water drainage and debris removal. Failure to do so, they warn, will exacerbate the humanitarian crisis.

The scholars also urged the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, humanitarian institutions, and business leaders to declare a state of field alert and implement a unified rescue plan prioritizing children, pregnant women, the elderly, the injured, and the sick.

They also called on Islamic scholars, religious institutions, and preachers to mobilize financial and humanitarian support, intensify calls for solidarity, and assist the affected before weather conditions worsen.

The appeal extends to Hebron, where 4,969 Palestinians have been displaced due to Israeli occupation and settlement expansion.