Heavy Rains Flood Tents and Displace Thousands Across War-Torn Gaza Strip

Heavy rainfall and strong winds struck the Gaza Strip, flooding approximately 70,000 tents and leaving tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians without shelter.

The Hamas-run government media office reported the collapse of dozens of cracked walls and roofs, resulting in critical injuries across the territory. Civil defense spokesman Mahmoud Bassal stated that his agency received more than 1,500 urgent calls overnight from residents whose tents were inundated, noting that the agency operates without equipment or capabilities. Displaced families in Gaza City, Deir al-Balah, and northern areas fled flooded encampments with soaked bedding and clothing.

Palestinian Health Minister Majed Abu Ramadan and local civil society coalitions warned of a heightened risk of disease outbreaks and epidemics, urging international intervention and pressure on Israel to lift restrictions on the entry of humanitarian aid and shelter materials. Al Jazeera reporters noted that families in Deir al-Balah had received no food aid since early Saturday.

UNICEF special representative in Palestine Jonathan Veitch described the living conditions as terrible and appealed for increased funding for winter supplies, while the Government Media Office estimated the storm damage at three million dollars.