Heavy rains in the Gaza Strip have caused floods, submerging thousands of tents housing displaced Palestinians. Many are facing harsh winter storms without strong shelters. Humanitarian groups warn of a worsening crisis as the cold season begins.
According to Reuters, most of Gaza’s population of 2 million has been displaced following Israel’s two-year ground and air attacks after the October 2023 Hamas assault. Many people now live in tents or makeshift shelters, struggling with basic survival.
Although a ceasefire has generally held since mid-October, bombings have destroyed dense urban areas and critical infrastructure. Thousands of displaced families now live in difficult conditions, exposed to rain, floods, and worsening winter weather.
Read more: Israeli forces kill 4 more Palestinians amid Gaza crisis
Standing outside her flooded tent, Um Ahmed Awda said, “This suffering, this rain, and the low-pressure systems haven’t even started. Winter is just beginning, and we are already drowning and humiliated.” Palestinian NGO Network head Amjad Al-Shawa warned that their tarpaulins and tents are over two years old and badly worn. He said at least 300,000 new tents are urgently needed to house approximately 1.5 million displaced people.
The Palestinian Civil Defense reported that storms and floodwaters damaged or submerged thousands of tents last week. Some tents were completely washed away as floodwaters rose 40–50 cm above the ground, forcing a field hospital to suspend operations. The United Nations said it is trying to bring winter supplies, but Israeli restrictions limit the number of aid trucks entering Gaza.
Economic collapse worsens humanitarian crisis
Two years of bombardment and Israeli restrictions in the occupied West Bank have pushed the Palestinian economy into its worst downturn in history, erasing decades of development. UNCTAD reported that the Palestinian economy contracted 30% in 2024 compared to 2022, marking the largest decline since data collection began in 1972.
Pedro Manuel Moreno, UNCTAD deputy head, said the prolonged military actions and longstanding restrictions have driven the Palestinian economy to its deepest collapse. GDP per capita has fallen to 2003 levels, erasing 22 years of progress, placing Gaza among the ten worst global economic crises since 1960. The report added that the scale of destruction is so extensive that Gaza will rely on international aid for many years to come.
Read more: UN warns: Gaza conflict triggers worst economic collapse since 1960