Severe storm destroys thousands of tents in Gaza, worsening humanitarian crisis

A severe winter storm has inflicted widespread damage on temporary shelters across the Gaza Strip, destroying or displacing thousands of tents housing displaced Palestinian families. Gaza's Civil Defense spokesperson Mahmoud Basal reported Saturday that powerful winds and heavy rains ripped apart shelters, particularly along the coastline where gusts reached approximately 60 kilometers per hour. He directly linked the disaster to Israel's continued blockade, which prevents reconstruction materials from entering the enclave.

Blockade Exacerbates Natural Disaster

Basal emphasized that the storm's impact transcends a mere weather event, calling it "a direct consequence of blocking the entry of construction materials." He stated that this policy forces civilians "to live in torn tents and unsafe, damaged homes without dignity or protection." The ongoing storm, which began Friday, is expected to continue with heavy rainfall and strong winds, posing further risks to vulnerable populations living in makeshift shelters.

Vulnerability of Coastal Settlements

With vast urban areas rendered uninhabitable by prolonged war, many families have been forced to set up tents along Gaza's coastline, leaving them exposed to extreme weather. Basal warned that each new weather system now triggers a "real humanitarian catastrophe" due to this precarious living situation. During a similar storm in late December, hundreds of coastal tents in Khan Younis were flooded by seawater, highlighting a recurring pattern of vulnerability.

Risk of Structural Collapse

The crisis extends beyond tents to damaged buildings. Basal noted that thousands of partially destroyed homes are at imminent risk of collapse, with cracked walls and weakened structures posing deadly threats during storms. He reported that dozens of airstrike-damaged buildings have already collapsed during recent bad weather, resulting in casualties. The spokesperson condemned living conditions that "fall far below basic humanitarian standards," describing them as a violation of international law.

Broader war Context

The humanitarian disaster unfolds against the backdrop of the ongoing Israel-Gaza war, which has resulted in over 71,000 fatalities and 171,000 injuries since October 2023, according to the report. Despite a ceasefire that took effect in October 2025, Israeli military actions have continued, resulting in hundreds of additional Palestinian casualties. The combination of war-related destruction and restricted aid access has created what aid agencies describe as one of the world's most severe humanitarian emergencies.