A powerful winter storm has flooded tens of thousands of tents housing displaced Palestinians in Gaza, prompting warnings of further deadly disasters unless Israel allows essential supplies into the territory to repair damaged drainage systems and infrastructure.
Ismail al Thawabta, director of Gaza’s Government Media Office, warned that continued restrictions on humanitarian supplies could leave thousands more families exposed to flooding and collapsing structures as winter conditions worsen.
Gaza Winter Storm FloodingIn an interview with Anadolu, al Thawabta said months of warnings about the dangers of winter flooding were now becoming a reality, with displaced families struggling to find adequate shelter against heavy rainfall.
“If the world does not intervene to allow in supplies to rebuild the infrastructure, Gaza will flood again this winter,” he warned.
He urged mediators and guarantors of the ceasefire agreement to pressure Israel to reopen crossings and allow humanitarian assistance and construction materials into the besieged territory.
Storm Floods 70,000 Tents Across Gaza
According to Gaza’s Government Media Office, the storm struck on Friday evening and flooded approximately 70,000 tents within its first 12 hours.
The severe weather also caused dozens of walls to collapse, injured several people and resulted in initial direct losses estimated at $3 million.
Al Thawabta said international warnings issued before the storm had failed to generate an adequate response to the growing humanitarian threat.
The latest flooding has further exposed the vulnerability of displaced Palestinians living in temporary shelters that offer little protection against heavy rainfall, strong winds and deteriorating weather conditions.
Many families have already endured repeated displacement and the destruction of their homes during Israel’s military offensive on Gaza.
Collapsed Sand Embankment Raises Fears for Displaced Families
One of the most concerning incidents involved the collapse of a sand embankment onto tents sheltering displaced families in Deir al Balah.
According to al Thawabta, rescue teams were continuing their search for missing people following the incident.
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The collapse highlighted the dangers facing Palestinians forced to establish shelters in unstable areas without adequate protection from extreme weather.
Flooded tents, damaged buildings and collapsing structures have created additional risks for families who have few alternatives to their deteriorating shelters.
Children, elderly people and other vulnerable residents face particularly difficult conditions as heavy rainfall continues to threaten temporary accommodation.
Gaza Needs Urgent Humanitarian Supplies and Infrastructure Repairs
Al Thawabta warned that repairing Gaza’s damaged drainage networks and restoring essential infrastructure were necessary to prevent further flooding during the winter season.
Years of destruction and damage to infrastructure have severely weakened the territory’s ability to manage heavy rainfall and protect displaced communities.
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He called on international mediators and countries involved in guaranteeing the ceasefire agreement to press Israel to facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid, drainage equipment and reconstruction materials.
Without urgent intervention, he warned, further rainfall could trigger additional flooding and endanger thousands of people living in temporary shelters.
The latest storm has added another layer to Gaza’s humanitarian emergency, where widespread displacement, damaged infrastructure and shortages of essential supplies continue to threaten civilian lives.
For thousands of displaced families, access to safe shelter and basic protection remains an urgent necessity as winter conditions intensify.
