Winter rains bring new suffering to Palestinians in Gaza

• Winter rains in Gaza have led to the flooding of tents and the loss of homes
• More than 2 million people in Gaza remain without adequate housing
• The UN Office reports serious damage to humanitarian infrastructure

Children and families in Gaza are struggling to divert floodwaters from tents in the winter, desperately trying to salvage their belongings after two years of war.

Strong winter rains have left displaced people in the water, which reaches knee-deep, blaming both Israel and Hamas, without mentioning the cause of the flooding.

“All the tents were destroyed,” said Asmaa Fayyad in Deir al-Balah, whose family was affected during the last rain. “Where is Hamas? Where are the people to see this flood and how our children are drowning?”

A Hamas representative, Hazem Qasem, blamed in a statement on Telegram: “All the world’s supplies for alleviating the catastrophe have been hindered by the Israeli blockade.”

Organizations providing humanitarian aid have stated that the floods have already worsened the situation with a shortage of humanitarian supplies. They are seeking to restore services and rebuild the infrastructure destroyed in the fighting.

Most of the more than 2 million people in Gaza have been forced to leave their homes during the war. Many of them live in tents or shelters, where sanitary conditions are inadequate.

Flooded tents

Rahma al-Hilu assessed the damage in Deir al-Balah, one of the hardest-hit areas by the rains. Her wooden and metal tent was swept away, and she suffered an injury to her head.

“The floodwaters swept away the tent,” she said. “Everything is ruined—clothes, everything—and my children’s things are ruined too.”

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported last week that floods have destroyed more than 13,000 tents, leaving thousands of Palestinians in Gaza.

The office noted that aid organizations had begun preparations for winter back in October, when a ceasefire was established between Israel and Hamas. They managed to distribute over 3,600 tents, 129,000 blankets, and 87,000 mattresses earlier this month.

However, the supplies were limited due to the ongoing blockade preventing the entry of materials for shelters.

Roads became rivers

Roads in Deir al-Balah turned into small rivers of muddy water. One person crossed through the water, carrying two small girls in his arms.

Some families stood on the sidewalks, trying to collect water in pieces of fabric.

While every day in Gaza is a struggle, Israel continues to launch strikes in parts of the territory in response to what, according to its statements, are violations from Hamas. Both sides blame each other for breaching the ceasefire agreement.

Tags: Middle East/Weather