More than 800 Palestinians were forced to flee after a fire destroyed tents at a displacement camp in Gaza City’s Shujayea neighbourhood, according to Gaza’s Ministry of Public Works and Housing.
The ministry said Israeli quadcopter drones set the camp ablaze near the Shujayea junction at about 8pm on Sunday, October 25. The fire spread through tents and families’ remaining belongings and continued for hours, leaving more than 200 families without shelter. Most of those affected were women, children, older people and patients, the ministry said.
Families left without shelter
The affected families had already been displaced by the war and were living in temporary shelters. With tents and possessions destroyed, many faced another forced move without a safe place to go. The ministry described the scene as one of panic and fear, and called for urgent international assistance to provide shelter and essential supplies.
The fire came as Israeli attacks and restrictions continued across Gaza, where repeated displacement has left large numbers of people dependent on makeshift tents. Fires can spread rapidly through closely packed shelters, putting children, older residents and people with illnesses at particular risk.
Calls for emergency support
Gaza authorities urged humanitarian organisations and international governments to help the displaced families secure temporary accommodation, blankets and basic necessities. The incident adds pressure to an already severe shelter crisis, with families facing limited access to safe housing and essential services.
The reported scale of displacement reflects the number of people who lost their immediate shelter in the fire; it does not mean that all those affected left Gaza. Many remain within the territory, searching for a place to stay while emergency responders and aid groups work under difficult conditions.
