Winter was once a cherished season in Gaza, believed to bring goodness and blessings. Both children and adults eagerly awaited the cold season as a reprieve from the summer heat.
When the rain finally arrived, children would joyfully sing in the streets, hoping for a successful growing season for farmers.
The rain was a true blessing for water-scarce Gaza, with farmers preparing for the new crop season and markets bustling with local produce.
City residents would use rainy days to relax indoors, enjoying warm blankets, fires, and sweet drinks.
However, these nostalgic Gaza winters are now a thing of the past, replaced by suffering and despair.
Current winters bring more hardships, with rains being seen as a curse and many praying for dry weather to avoid flooding in displacement camps.
The lack of proper shelter leaves many vulnerable to the harsh weather, with makeshift shelters failing to withstand wind and rain.
The high cost of essentials like wood and food has made survival during the winter almost impossible for many families.
As hunger and cold grip the region, memories of past warmth and joy are distant, replaced by a sense of hopelessness and misery.
The Palestinian people long for an end to their suffering and a return to better times in Gaza.
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera’s editorial stance.
