The suffering of displaced Palestinians in the Gaza Strip is worsening as heavy rains continue to fall. In the al-Zaytoun neighborhood in eastern Gaza City, hundreds of families found themselves without shelter or belongings after their worn-out tents were flooded.
The displaced face extremely difficult conditions amid the complete inability of the Civil Defense, whose equipment and vehicles were destroyed by Israel during two years of war. This comes in addition to Israel’s ongoing ban on the entry of mobile homes, tents, and the equipment needed to rebuild what has been destroyed.
Al Jazeera correspondent in al-Zaytoun, Shadi Shamieh, described the situation as catastrophic, saying families have no idea where they will go after their tents were soaked by the rain.
Amjad al-Shawa, head of the NGO Network in Gaza, said that hundreds of thousands of residents have experienced a humanitarian disaster that may be repeated in the coming period due to the lack of resources necessary to face the winter. He warned that this could be “the harshest and most difficult winter the people of Gaza have ever faced.”
Al-Shawa explained that the occupation controls more than 53% of the Gaza Strip’s land — the elevated eastern areas — causing rainwater to flow westward, flooding the regions where displaced people are staying.
Despite the efforts of humanitarian organizations, their capabilities are limited. What they provide in terms of bedding and supplies falls far short of the massive needs, especially with the shortage of blankets, winter bedding, and usable tents. Al-Shawa estimated that only about 10% of the needed tents have entered, noting that around 300,000 tents have worn out and can no longer withstand rain or wind, leaving children and women exposed to the cold.
He also warned of increasing health risks for the displaced, who already suffer from malnutrition and a lack of essential supplies. He confirmed ongoing communication with Arab and international bodies to pressure Israel to honor its humanitarian obligations and allow the entry of aid, including mobile homes and winter necessities.
