Gaza Floods: Tens of Thousands Displaced Face Homelessness Amidst Heavy Rains

Heavy rains have inundated tens of thousands of tents housing displaced Palestinians in the war-ravaged Gaza Strip, leaving many without shelter, according to Palestinian authorities. Since early Saturday, families have been observed fleeing camps in parts of Gaza City, northern areas, and central Gaza as rainwater flooded their temporary shelters.

Gaza authorities reported that approximately "70,000 tents sheltering tens of thousands of displaced people were flooded on the first day" of the downpour. The statement also detailed the "collapse of dozens of cracked walls and roofs, which caused injuries", with some injuries being critical, across various regions of the territory.

Mahmoud Basal, spokesperson for Palestinian Civil Defence, informed AFP on Saturday that his teams had responded to over 1,500 calls overnight from residents seeking urgent aid due to flooded tents. He highlighted that the agency "is operating without any equipment or capabilities" and issued an "urgent distress call to the international community and humanitarian organisations to intervene immediately to save hundreds of thousands of displaced people from the flooding of their tents." Bassal added, "We cannot face the consequences of this storm on our own."

Water levels in several Gaza camps have risen by 300-400mm (12-16 inches) due to Saturday's rainfall. Local authorities reiterated that about "70,000 tents sheltering tens of thousands of displaced people were flooded on the first day" of the rains.

The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) noted that approximately 950,000 displaced individuals in Gaza reside in areas vulnerable to flooding. Images show displaced Palestinians clearing water from their tents and muddy conditions, with municipal and Civil Defence officials citing fuel shortages and damaged equipment as reasons for their inability to cope with the storm.