Heavy rainfall on Saturday has led to devastating floods in various camps across Gaza, exacerbating the already dire conditions for displaced Palestinians. As roads transformed into rivers, families found themselves struggling to keep their tents dry, with many resorting to sweeping dirty water from their shelters. This downpour occurs as cold weather descends upon the region, further intensifying humanitarian concerns for Gaza’s population of approximately two million residents.
In a Gaza City camp, Sana Abu Harad, 38, expressed her despair while pointing to her shivering child and the drenched bedding in her tent. “Everything is underwater,” she told NBC News. “Why must this little child sleep in floodwater? I struggled so much just to get this tent, and now nothing protects us. Where will I live with my children now?”
The situation is worsened by the degradation of water and sewage systems, which have collapsed after years of conflict. According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), an estimated 90% of the Gaza population has been displaced, with over 1.5 million people urgently requiring emergency shelter assistance.
Mahmoud Basal, spokesman for Gaza’s Civil Defense agency, described the current conditions as a “true catastrophe.” He warned that the mixing of rainwater with sewage has resulted in an environmental disaster that poses severe health risks. “There is no sewage system, no rainwater drainage system, and no water reservoirs; all of them have been destroyed by Israel, along with all the infrastructure,” Basal told NBC News.
The humanitarian response has faced significant challenges. The United Nations reported last week that Israel has denied over 100 requests for the entry of essential relief materials, including blankets and winter clothing. Deputy U.N. Spokesperson Farhan Haq highlighted how these ongoing restrictions hinder humanitarian efforts in the region.
In contrast, the Israeli body responsible for humanitarian aid, COGAT, stated on social media that “hundreds of trucks carrying food, water, fuel, gas, medicines, medical equipment, tents, and shelter supplies enter the Gaza Strip every day.” This conflicting information underscores the complexities surrounding aid distribution.
Meanwhile, the U.N. Security Council is set to vote on a U.S. proposal regarding a U.N. mandate for an international stabilization force in Gaza. This proposal has received pushback from countries like Russia and China, as well as several Arab nations. Tensions are rising within Israel as well, particularly following a joint statement in support of the resolution, which mentioned pathways to Palestinian statehood. This has angered members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu‘s Cabinet, especially Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, who are demanding Netanyahu to clarify Israel’s position against the establishment of a Palestinian state.
At a government meeting on Sunday, Netanyahu reiterated that Israel’s stance remains unchanged. “I don’t need reinforcements and tweets and lectures from anyone,” he asserted. The deployment of an international security force is seen as a key hurdle in advancing negotiations related to the ceasefire, Hamas’ disarmament, and the return of Israeli hostages.
As families in Gaza continue to endure the effects of the floods, many can only hope for an improvement in their living conditions. Ma’in Albuhteiti, 50, who shares a tent with seven of his children, described the night when heavy rains flooded their living space. “We were completely flooded; we couldn’t move,” he said. “If there were proper shelter for us, we would go. We cannot manage. The situation is extremely tragic, and all the rain is pouring on us.”
With infrastructure in ruins and adverse weather conditions persisting, the plight of those living in Gaza remains critical, emphasizing the urgent need for comprehensive humanitarian support.
