Severe weather compounds humanitarian crisis for displaced Gazans

At least 288,000 Palestinian families are living a “harsh tragedy” after tens of thousands of tents sheltering displaced people were flooded by recent rainstorms, local authorities said Monday.

In a statement, Gaza’s Government Media Office accused Israel of deliberately worsening the crisis by denying the entry of shelter materials and basic supplies into the enclave.

“At least 288,000 Palestinian families are enduring a harsh tragedy under difficult weather conditions and the lack of even the minimum requirements for life,” it said.

The office said tens of thousands of tents sheltering displaced civilians were flooded during a winter storm last week.

The scene “reflects the scale of suffering and the failure of the international community to provide shelter supplies,” it said, citingAHeavy rains and severe weather have exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where approximately 288,000 displaced families are confronting what local authorities describe as a "harsh tragedy." Gaza's Government Media Office reported Monday that tens of thousands of tents sheltering civilians were flooded during recent winter storms, leaving vulnerable populations without adequate protection from the elements amid already dire living conditions.

Accusations Against Israel

The media office directly accused Israel of intensifying the crisis by preventing shelter materials and basic supplies from entering the territory. Officials stated the situation "reflects the scale of suffering and the failure of the international community to provide shelter supplies," holding Israel "fully responsible for the suffering of hundreds of thousands of displaced people facing harsh winter without safe shelter or basic services" through its continued closure of crossing points.

Massive Shelter Shortage

According to the media office's assessment, Gaza requires approximately 300,000 tents and mobile homes to adequately shelter its displaced population. The recent three-day period of heavy rainfall and strong winds damaged or destroyed thousands of makeshift shelters that families have relied on since being displaced during the two-year conflict. The inclement weather has further compromised already precarious living conditions throughout the coastal enclave.

Warnings from Hamas

The Palestinian group Hamas issued separate warnings about the "real threat" posed by the harsh weather conditions to thousands of civilians in Gaza. In an official statement, the group emphasized that "the tragic conditions of our Palestinian people pose a real threat to the lives of unarmed civilians, particularly children and women, amid winter weather and increased rainfall." The warnings come as the territory continues to grapple with the aftermath of military operations that resulted in extensive destruction of housing and infrastructure. that the enclave is in dire need of around 300,000 tents and mobile homes to secure shelter for civilians.

Over the past three days, heavy rains and strong winds have ravaged thousands of tents sheltering families displaced by Israel’s two-year war.

The media office held Israel “fully responsible for the suffering of hundreds of thousands of displaced people facing harsh winter without safe shelter or basic services” by continuing to shut the territory’s crossing.

The Palestinian group Hamas also warned of a “real threat” to thousands of civilians in Gaza amid harsh weather conditions.

“The tragic conditions of our Palestinian people pose a real threat to the lives of unarmed civilians, particularly children and women, amid winter weather and increased rainfall,” it said in a statement.

The Israeli army launched a brutal offensive on Gaza in October 2023, killing more than 69,000 people, mostly women and children, injuring over 170,000 others, and reducing the enclave to rubble. The assault came to a halt under a ceasefire agreement that took effect on Oct. 10.