Khalil al-Hayya calls for urgent Arab and Islamic intervention in Gaza

Khalil al-Hayya, the head of the Hamas political bureau, called for urgent intervention from Arab and Islamic nations on November 15, 2025, to address the worsening humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. The official appeal comes as heavy rains and flooding have submerged thousands of tents and shelters across the territory. Khalil al-Hayya stated that the situation in Gaza is no longer just an emergency relief crisis but a humanitarian catastrophe involving systematic starvation and destruction of life's essentials.

Demands for international action

Khalil al-Hayya urged the UN Security Council to hold an emergency public session to discuss the scale of the humanitarian catastrophe currently unfolding in Gaza. The Hamas official demanded the full implementation of the existing ceasefire agreement and the immediate execution of the humanitarian protocol signed in Sharm El-Sheikh. Furthermore, Khalil al-Hayya called for the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip.

The official requested that the National Committee for Gaza Management be empowered to enter the strip to begin its duties. Khalil al-Hayya also demanded that unhindered access be ensured for United Nations and humanitarian organizations to all areas of the Gaza Strip. The appeal included calls for international funding to support humanitarian response, early recovery, and reconstruction efforts, specifically including the entry of building materials and equipment.

Impact of winter weather

The humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip is being exacerbated by an ongoing siege and the onset of winter weather. Heavy rains and flooding have created critical conditions for displaced populations. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, more than 200,000 Palestinians have been affected by the rain and flooding.

Data from the World Health Organization indicates that 950,000 displaced persons are currently at risk of flooding. Additionally, the World Health Organization reported that more than 400,000 displaced persons are located in high-risk areas. These environmental factors have compounded the existing hardships faced by the population in the region.

Ceasefire and conflict context

The current ceasefire agreement has been in effect since October 10, 2025, according to Al-Araby. This agreement follows the start of the Israeli war in the Gaza Strip on October 7, 2023. The humanitarian crisis continues to intensify as weather conditions worsen the living conditions for those living in temporary shelters and displacement camps.