Gaza floods 70,000 displaced Palestinians’ tents as heavy rain hits

GAZA: Heavy rainfall marking the first major winter downpour in Gaza has worsened the suffering of thousands of displaced Palestinian families, with at least 70,000 tents reportedly affected by flooding over the past 12 hours.

The torrential rain inundated makeshift tent settlements across several areas, leaving families struggling to protect themselves from rising water. Bedding, blankets, mattresses and other essential belongings were soaked, while several temporary shelters became uninhabitable.

The latest weather emergency has added another layer of hardship for Palestinians already displaced by Israeli military attacks and living in extremely difficult humanitarian conditions.

According to Gaza’s Civil Defence Service, emergency teams received approximately 1,500 distress calls from residents seeking assistance within just 10 hours of the rainfall beginning.

Floodwater reportedly reached depths of between 30 and 40 centimetres in several locations, forcing families living in tents and temporary shelters to move to safer areas.

The affected population includes large numbers of women, children, elderly people and patients, many of whom have limited access to safe accommodation and essential supplies.

For families who have already lost their homes, the heavy rainfall has turned temporary shelters into dangerous and uncomfortable living spaces. Many residents are now facing the additional challenge of finding dry places to sleep and protecting their remaining possessions from further damage.

The flooding has also raised concerns about the vulnerability of Gaza’s displaced population as winter conditions intensify.

With thousands of families relying on temporary tents for shelter, inadequate drainage and limited access to proper housing have made them particularly exposed to severe weather.

The latest emergency highlights the growing humanitarian challenges facing Gaza, where displaced residents are struggling not only with the consequences of the conflict but also with harsh seasonal conditions.

As rescue and emergency assistance efforts continue, the immediate priority remains helping affected families reach safer locations and providing them with adequate shelter, blankets and other essential supplies before further rainfall worsens the situation.