Oman’s Grand Mufti calls for urgent aid to Gaza after storm floods 70,000 displacement tents

Oman’s Grand Mufti, Sheikh Ahmed bin Hamad Al-Khalili, called on Muslims worldwide on Sunday to provide urgent financial and humanitarian assistance to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip after heavy rainfall and flash floods submerged tens of thousands of tents sheltering displaced families.

In a statement published on X, Al-Khalili expressed sympathy for Palestinians affected by the severe weather and urged immediate action to alleviate their suffering.

“We have learned of the hardship faced by our brothers in Gaza—Gaza of pride and resilience—due to heavy rainfall and the flash floods that have engulfed their shelters,” he said.

He called on Muslims to contribute financially and accelerate the delivery of relief assistance to families affected by the flooding.

“We call upon all Muslims to support them with their wealth, hasten to provide aid, and share with them the blessings that God has bestowed upon them,” Al-Khalili added.

His appeal followed an announcement by Gaza’s Government Media Office on Saturday that approximately 70,000 tents housing displaced Palestinians had been flooded during a severe storm.

According to the office, dozens of walls collapsed within 12 hours of the storm’s onset, causing injuries and preliminary material losses estimated at approximately $3 million.

The Gaza Strip has experienced heavy rainfall and strong winds since Friday evening, worsening conditions for thousands of displaced families living in deteriorating tents without adequate heating or protection from rain and cold.

The storm has compounded an already severe humanitarian crisis, with extensive destruction of residential buildings and infrastructure leaving many Palestinians without access to suitable shelter.

Since the beginning of Israel’s military offensive in Gaza in October 2023, repeated displacement has forced families to abandon their homes and depleted their remaining possessions, increasing their dependence on humanitarian assistance.

The latest flooding has intensified concerns over the vulnerability of displaced Palestinians as winter conditions worsen and emergency shelter needs continue to grow.