Displaced Palestinians in Deir al-Balah Struggle for Water and Food

DEIR AL-BALAH, GAZA — Hundreds of displaced Palestinians sheltering in Deir al-Balah are struggling to secure basic necessities, with residents reporting severe shortages of water and food in the war-ravaged Gaza Strip.

Families living in temporary shelters say access to clean water remains a daily challenge, with many forced to queue for limited supplies.

Nasser Ghabin, who was displaced from Deir al-Balah, said his family has only limited storage capacity and receives water once a day.

“Nothing has improved. We are done with this suffering,” Ghabin said, describing the difficulties of securing enough water for his household.

He said he does not have a 250-litre water tank to store supplies and has only a small amount of water available for seven people.

Families Queue for Limited Water

Adeeb al-Nimir, who was displaced from Beit Lahiya in northern Gaza during the war, was seen walking barefoot towards a water truck carrying worn jerrycans to collect supplies for his family.

Al-Nimir said 15 members of his family are living together in a single tent, highlighting the difficult conditions facing displaced households.

“We are sick of living in tents,” he said.

The lack of adequate water storage and regular access to supplies has left many displaced families dependent on water trucks and other limited distribution points.

Food Shortages Add to Hardship

Residents also reported shortages of food, saying the number of charity kitchens providing meals to displaced people has declined.

Dalia Khriwat was preparing fried eggplants outside her tent for her eight children, describing the limited options available to her family.

She said charity kitchens and food aid packages had become increasingly scarce, while many families were unable to afford or access more nutritious meals.

“People want to eat chicken or meat, but there is nothing,” Khriwat said.

The accounts from Deir al-Balah underscore the continuing humanitarian pressures facing displaced Palestinians, many of whom have been forced to move repeatedly during the conflict.

For families living in tents, access to sufficient water, food and safe shelter remains an urgent concern as they struggle to meet basic daily needs amid the ongoing crisis.