Gaza Herald – Heavy rainfall has flooded hundreds of displaced Palestinians’ tents and makeshift shelters across the Gaza Strip, worsening the already dire conditions faced by displaced Palestinians after nearly two years of Israeli genocide.
Water has seeped into fragile shelters made of plastic and cloth, many of which lack even basic protection against harsh weather. Displaced families spent the night trying to drain water and salvage what little belongings they have left, including blankets and clothing.
Hosni Mhanna, spokesperson for Gaza Municipality, said the shelters are “not equipped to withstand severe weather conditions,” warning that children and the elderly are among the most affected.
He noted that the heavy rains have once again exposed the scale of destruction to Gaza’s infrastructure, particularly drainage and sewage systems. Flooded streets and damaged networks have led to water accumulation in displacement areas and shelters.
Municipal crews are continuing efforts to pump out water and clear drainage channels despite extremely limited resources. However, widespread infrastructure damage is severely constraining the overall response.
Mhanna also warned of growing health and environmental risks if the rainfall persists, particularly due to the mixing of rainwater with sewage in heavily affected areas.
The crisis comes as hundreds of thousands of Palestinians remain without permanent housing after entire neighborhoods were destroyed during the war. Many families continue to rely on fragile temporary shelters amid deteriorating humanitarian and health conditions.
According to estimates, around 1.9 million displaced people, out of Gaza’s approximately 2.4 million population, are living in severely inadequate conditions.
Despite a ceasefire that took effect on October 10, 2025, living conditions have seen little improvement, with limited entry of food, medical aid, and shelter materials due to ongoing restrictions.
Humanitarian organizations warn that without urgent intervention, the combination of mass displacement, destroyed infrastructure, and severe weather could further escalate the crisis for Gaza’s already vulnerable population.
