Heavy rains worsen plight of displaced Palestinians in Gaza

Heavy rains and flooding in Gaza have further exacerbated the hardships of Palestinians who were already displaced.

Floodwaters have submerged thousands of tents, forcing local families to endure life under the open sky in freezing conditions.

According to Reuters, a large portion of Gaza’s approximately 2 million population was rendered homeless during Israeli attacks.

Even after the ceasefire, people continue to face dire conditions in temporary tents and shelters, as the region’s basic infrastructure has been destroyed.

A displaced Palestinian woman, Um Ahmed Awda, stated that the onset of winter, combined with flooding, has worsened the situation.

She added that no new tents or tarpaulins were provided, and the existing ones, being two years old, are now damaged.

Amjad Al-Shawa, head of the Palestinian NGO Network, said that at least 300,000 new tents are urgently needed for approximately 1.5 million displaced individuals.

The Palestinian Civil Defense reported that during last week’s heavy rains, thousands of tents were submerged in water, and some were completely washed away.

Water levels in coastal areas rose to 40–50 centimeters, temporarily forcing the closure of a field hospital.

The United Nations stated that it is attempting to deliver winter-appropriate aid, but the number of aid trucks is limited due to Israeli restrictions.

Gaza authorities and aid agencies claim that Israel is blocking essential supplies, while Israel maintains that it is fulfilling all commitments under the ceasefire.