Heavy Rain Floods Shelters in Gaza, Three Killed in Israeli Attacks

Local reports and Al Jazeera note that families living in affected areas face worsening conditions. Rainwater has entered broken relief shelters and damaged residential buildings, leaving people without safe shelter.

UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, stated that in the past two years of Israeli bombing, about 13,000 families in Gaza lost their homes and are living in inadequate shelters amidst winter and flooding. Israel is also obstructing the delivery of winter relief supplies and tents.

UNRWA Communications Director Tamara Alrifai said, “Israel has imposed restrictions even on winter essentials. We have sufficient supplies, but administrative complications make entry difficult.”

Local Gaza residents reported that prolonged rainfall has fully flooded many shelters. “Everything is wet—oil, food, water, clothes. We need new tents to protect people from the cold,” they said.

Caroline Seguin, Emergency Coordinator for Doctors Without Borders in Gaza, said, “Staying dry at night is a luxury. But restrictions imposed by Israel make relief distribution extremely challenging.”

Last month’s ceasefire did not prevent Israeli attacks that resulted in at least 266 deaths and 635 injuries. Currently, the death toll in Gaza approaches 70,000.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he is uncertain how long the ceasefire will hold and continues to oppose Palestinian statehood.