Despite frigid weather and floods, Hamas stops UN from building weatherproof Gaza shelters - report

The UN Development Program abandoned plans to build weatherproof shelters for displaced Gazans after Hamas threatened PA ministry staff with violence, a PA official told Jusoor News International. Fatah condemned Hamas's disruption, while the UN OCHA called for humanitarian funding and Israeli approvals without mentioning the project.

The UN Development Program (UNDP) was forced to abandon plans to build better-quality shelters for displaced Gazans ahead of the winter months, a Palestinian Authority official told the Arabic-language outlet Jusoor News International. The official, who spoke anonymously, said the UNDP launched a project earlier in 2026 to install Relief Housing Units (RHU) for families living in tents. The RHU comprises a lightweight steel frame, roof, wall panels, doors, windows, floor covering, a solar energy unit, and an anchoring system, and can last up to three years with maintenance. The UNDP partnered with the PA's Public Works and Housing Ministry, but Hamas officials threatened ministry staff with violence if they continued working on the project. Hamas likely saw the RHUs as a threat to its power over the Gazan population, the official said. Fatah condemned Hamas's disruption of relief work on November 10. The UN OCHA published an update on November 7 calling for humanitarian funding and Israeli approvals but did not mention the RHUs or Hamas. The article also notes that Jusoor News has been linked to a pro-Israel advocacy group, according to a +972 Magazine investigation.