Gaza tents, shelters flooded by heavy rainfall

Dozens of tents and shelters housing displaced civilians were flooded in the Gaza Strip during recent heavy rainfall and cold weather, the Civil Defence Agency said on Thursday.

“The situation in Gaza is catastrophic as rains continue to pour over the heads of displaced Palestinians whose homes were destroyed,” explained agency spokesman Mahmoud Basal. “Many tents were submerged as shelter centres lack even the most basic means of resilience against extreme weather conditions.”

Basal told Anadolu that the absence of proper tents capable of protecting displaced families from harsh weather is worsening the situation. “Many face severe hardships due to food shortages, lack of clean water and medicine, and insufficient heating supplies,” he added.

The spokesman appealed to the international community and humanitarian organisations to intervene immediately. “They need to rescue the affected population and put pressure on Israel to open crossings and allow the entry of essential aid. This includes weather-resistant tents and relief supplies, which are critical for protecting children and the elderly from freezing temperatures and heavy rains.”

Israel has effectively turned Gaza into the world’s largest open-air prison, maintaining an 18-year blockade and forcing nearly two million of its 2.3 million residents into displacement amid dire shortages of food, water and medicine due to deliberately-imposed restrictions.

A ceasefire agreement has been in place in Gaza since 19 January, suspending Israel’s genocidal war that has killed more than 48,200 people, mostly women and children, and left the enclave in ruins.

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