Gaza, the fourth winter of war: hundreds of thousands of displaced people in the cold

Then there is the threat of contaminated water. Drinking water is also in short supply. As if that were not enough, this already dire situation is compounded by overcrowded hospitals where medicines are in short supply.

The peace plan announced by Donald Trump a year ago appears to have crystallised into a low-intensity conflict. It is difficult to speak of a ceasefire when, according to figures reported by medical sources in Gaza, bombings and gunfire have claimed over 1,500 lives in twelve months, the vast majority of whom were civilians.

Meanwhile, things are heating up in Israel. The path to forming a governing majority remains complicated and fraught with obstacles.

It was Avigdor Lieberman, leader of the right-wing, Russian-speaking and secular party Israel Beitenu, who once again set the boundaries yesterday. Lieberman ruled out a minority government supported from outside by the Arab parties, but left the door open to an agreement with the ultra-Orthodox, who have long been his historic adversaries. The leader of Israel Beitenu even said he was willing to compromise on universal conscription, hitherto one of his non-negotiable principles.

Eisenkot, for his part, insists that all Israeli citizens must undertake military or civilian service. This is one of the most difficult issues in the negotiations. After three years of war, discontent is growing amongst those who have fought – particularly amongst centre and left-wing voters – over exemptions.

Amid this turbulent climate, the outgoing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who was defeated in the elections, has once again called for a government of national unity. ‘If Likud and its allies are suddenly interested in unity and a broad-based coalition government, they are more than welcome to publicly announce the breakdown of their alliance with the extremists, their acceptance of Gadi Eisenkot’s four principles, and their willingness to join a government led by Prime Minister Eisenkot,’ replied Yashar, Eisenkot’s party, almost immediately. A statement that sounds like a provocation.

Meanwhile, in Gaza, it continued to rain last night. Dr Sabba concludes: ‘Perhaps what hurts the most is seeing how this suffering is gradually coming to be regarded as normal, as if it were now acceptable for children to spend yet another winter surrounded by water, cold and fear, whilst the world continues to issue statements of concern.’