Gaza: With the first drop, water began seeping into the tent, mixed with the bitter cold, rendering it uninhabitable. The family tried to move their belongings, raise the tent slightly to avoid the water, and dig in the ground to drain it away, but all their efforts were in vain.
According to Yemen News Agency, Aya Farah Abu Nasr, a young woman from northern Gaza, who lives in the Roundabout 17 area west of Deir al-Balah, recounted to the Palestinian Information Center the first moments of the storm in a trembling voice amidst tears. She described the overwhelming feeling of helplessness as rainwater flooded their tent, leaving children shivering and her heart breaking as she tried to console them.
Similarly, in public squares, ports, and devastated streets, tens of thousands of displaced people await relief, while winter winds batter inadequate shelters. In central Gaza, Hajja Khadija al-Salout lamented the lack of protection from the elements, expressing the dire conditions faced by those in rain-soaked tents.
Mohammed Khairi, coordinator and spokesperson for the Gaza Center for Human Rights, highlighted the unprecedented severity of the humanitarian situation in Gaza. He reported that only 23% of winter shelter needs have been met, leaving hundreds of thousands exposed to harsh weather and potential health risks.
News reports reveal that the first storm exposed the poor state of tents, flooding homes of displaced people in the Al-Mawasi area. The Gaza Municipality confirmed the tents had become floodplains and appealed for urgent intervention to provide dignified shelter.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) warned of the risk of building collapses as rains intensify. Civil Defense spokesman Mahmoud Bassal announced that heavy rains had completely flooded Gaza City, emphasizing the dire conditions and need for international aid.
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) reported flooding affecting thousands of displaced families, stressing the urgent need for supplies. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) detailed efforts to distribute emergency supplies, despite restrictions from Israeli authorities.
Palestinian resistance movements have called for international action to provide essential supplies and equipment. The Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine and other groups urged immediate efforts to protect the displaced and provide necessities amidst the ongoing storm.
The ceasefire agreement came into effect on October 10th, but Israeli restrictions continue to hinder aid delivery, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.