RismadarVoice Reporters
October 26, 2026
More than 800 Palestinians have reportedly been left homeless after a devastating fire destroyed a displacement camp in the Shujaiya area of Gaza City, worsening the humanitarian crisis facing families already displaced by the prolonged conflict.
Gaza’s Ministry of Public Works and Housing disclosed on Monday that the incident occurred near the Shujaiya junction in eastern Gaza City on Sunday evening, October 25, 2026.
According to the ministry, Israeli quadcopter drones allegedly set the camp ablaze at approximately 8 p.m. local time, with flames spreading rapidly through makeshift shelters and continuing beyond midnight.
The ministry said the fire destroyed tents and the remaining personal belongings of displaced families, affecting more than 200 households comprising over 800 people.
Most of those affected were reportedly women, children, elderly residents and people suffering from various medical conditions.
The ministry described the incident as a serious humanitarian emergency, noting that families who had previously fled their homes were once again left without shelter or protection from harsh living conditions.
It accused Israeli forces of deliberately setting the camp on fire, describing the incident as a violation of international humanitarian law and calling for urgent international intervention.
However, the allegation concerning the involvement of Israeli drones and the reported displacement figures have not been independently verified.
Following the incident, Palestinian authorities appealed to the United Nations, international humanitarian organisations and relief agencies to provide replacement tents, emergency accommodation and essential supplies for the affected families.
The latest incident comes amid continuing concerns over inadequate shelter and deteriorating living conditions across the Gaza Strip.
In an October humanitarian assessment, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported that approximately 1.98 million people in Gaza required shelter and essential household assistance.
The agency also warned that hundreds of thousands of displaced residents were living in locations vulnerable to flooding as the rainy season approached.
Humanitarian agencies have repeatedly highlighted shortages of adequate tents, protective materials and other necessities needed to support displaced families.
The reported destruction of the Shujaiya camp adds to those challenges, leaving affected residents facing renewed uncertainty over where they will find safe accommodation.
