Heavy rainfall flooded displacement camps in Gaza, worsening the humanitarian crisis amid Israeli restrictions on aid and shelter materials.

GAZA CITY: Heavy rains flooded tents sheltering displaced Palestinians across the Gaza Strip early Tuesday. The first winter storm since Ramadan began worsened an already dire humanitarian crisis amid Israeli restrictions on shelter supplies.

A weather system brought rain and falling temperatures to Gaza late Monday. Meteorologist Laith Al-Alami said it was expected to ease by Tuesday evening.

Gaza’s Civil Defence said its crews received multiple distress calls overnight. The calls reported flooded displacement camps caused by the heavy rainfall.

Rescue teams saved several families after floodwaters submerged their tents. The incident occurred in the al-Mawasi area west of Khan Younis in southern Gaza.

Witnesses said rainwater also inundated tents west of Gaza City. Areas particularly affected included the al-Rimal neighbourhood and near the port area.

Videos circulated on social media showed flooded tents in al-Rimal. Residents struggled to find solutions to prevent further damage.

Since December, a series of winter storms have flooded or blown away tens of thousands of tents. The storms have also caused already damaged buildings, previously hit by Israeli strikes, to collapse, killing and injuring dozens.

Some Palestinians have died from extreme cold. About 1.9 million of Gaza’s 2.4 million residents remain displaced and live in worn tents lacking basic necessities.

Israel destroyed their homes during the war. Although a ceasefire agreement took effect on Oct 10, 2025, living conditions have not significantly improved.

Israel continues to block the entry of aid shipments and shelter materials. This includes tents and mobile homes.

Israel launched its military campaign on Oct 8, 2023. It has killed more than 72,000 Palestinians and wounded over 171,000 others while devastating civilian infrastructure.

(Bernama-Anadolu)

 The Sun Malaysia