Tent Camps in Gaza Flooded by Heavy Rains: Displaced Palestinians in Dire Straits

Displaced Palestinians in Gaza’s flooded tent camps face serious shelter problems as the cold winter months approach. The UN and humanitarian organizations said that due to Israel’s continued aid restrictions, families still lack adequate food, medicine, and shelter supplies.

Heavy Rains and Shelter Problems

The Gaza Civil Defense Agency said the flash floods primarily affected Palestinians in the northern Gaza Strip on Friday, with central areas such as Deir al-Balah also experiencing flooding. The agency noted that hundreds of thousands of people who returned after last month’s ceasefire between Israel and Hamas are still living in dilapidated and fragile tents.

Displaced People Struggle to Survive

Palestinians affected by the floods reported that their belongings were submerged and tents offered no protection.

Abdurrahman Asaliyah, a displaced Palestinian speaking to Al Jazeera on Friday, said “We are asking for help, at least for new tents to protect people from the winter cold. About 24 people worked for hours to drain the water.”

Ebu Gassan, another displaced Palestinian interviewed by Al Jazeera, said “I lift the mattresses so the children don’t get wet, but the little ones were already soaked. We don’t even have a proper tent, we no longer live a normal life.”

International Warnings and Aid Efforts

The United Nations stressed that Israel’s aid restrictions have left hundreds of thousands of families without adequate shelter. Angelita Caredda, Middle East and North Africa Director at the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), said “We have very little time to protect families from winter rains and cold.” UNRWA stated it has enough materials to assist 1.3 million Palestinians, but access to aid remains restricted.