Thousands of displaced Palestinians in the Gaza Strip have been left exposed to the elements after heavy rains and strong winds battered the enclave, flooding makeshift shelters and threatening the collapse of damaged buildings.
Witnesses say hundreds sought refuge early Tuesday amid the ruins of Gaza City, where much of the infrastructure has been destroyed by Israeli military operations. The latest storm has deepened the suffering of those already living in dire conditions.
Gaza Civil Defence spokesman Mahmoud Basal warned that thousands of partially destroyed buildings are now at risk of collapse. “These homes pose a grave danger to the lives of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians who have found no shelter,” Basal told Turkish news agency Anadolu. “We have warned the world repeatedly, but to no avail.”
In nearby Jabalia, Mayor Mazen al Najjar described the situation as catastrophic. He said more than 90 percent of buildings and streets in the northern Gaza Strip are destroyed, forcing residents to live in worn-out tents. The collapse of infrastructure has led to widespread flooding and sewage overflow.
“Palestinians living in buildings at risk of collapse are in grave danger,” al Najjar said, recalling dozens of deaths and injuries during a previous storm. He stressed that local and international efforts are overwhelmed and called for urgent global intervention.
At least 14 people were killed in last week’s winter storm. More than 53,000 displacement tents were damaged or destroyed, and 13 buildings collapsed across Gaza.
Despite a ceasefire taking effect on October 10, humanitarian conditions have not improved. Israel continues to restrict the entry of aid trucks, violating the humanitarian protocol of the truce agreement.
Al Najjar urged the international community to provide mobile homes, establish safe camps, and rehabilitate infrastructure and sewage systems to prevent further tragedy.
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