Heavy rains flood Gaza displacement tents as shelter shortages persist

Heavy rain that began late on Friday has flooded over 70,000 tents in the Gaza Strip, according to the Gaza Government Media Office. The water entered makeshift shelters in the az-Zawayda area, soaking mattresses, blankets and food supplies, and turning the ground around the displacement camp into a pool.

Residents such as 70-year-old Jaber al-Kaseeh described the damage to his tent and the difficulty of coping with the conditions. He said the tents are torn, covered in mud and lack essential items such as tarpaulins and mattresses. Similar concerns were voiced by other displaced families, who said they have received little or no assistance despite promises of temporary housing under the cease-fire agreement signed after the October 2023 conflict.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) estimates that Gaza needs roughly 121,000 tents and 561,000 tarpaulins, but available stocks fall far short of those figures. Human-rights monitor Ramy Abdu noted that more than 1.5 million displaced Palestinians face another winter in inadequate shelters, and that many homes remain damaged, exposing residents to harsh weather.

Restrictions on the entry of mobile homes, tents and shelter equipment have left large shipments stranded at the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing, according to Abdu. He said Israel, as the occupying power, is obligated under international law to allow essential humanitarian supplies to reach civilians.

Displaced individuals such as Jihad Dawwas, who shelters with ten children, reported that rainwater soaked their mattresses and forced children to sleep standing up, leading to illness. He said he purchased his own tent and has not received any aid from charities.

Humanitarian agencies continue to call for the rapid delivery of tents, tarpaulins, caravans and other shelter materials to address the growing humanitarian need as winter progresses.