A rainstorm swept through the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, causing flooding in numerous tents and homes. Tragically, at least six individuals lost their lives due to the storm, with medics reporting casualties in various locations across Gaza.
Among the victims were five people, including two women and a young girl, who perished when their homes collapsed near the beach in Gaza City. Additionally, a one-year-old boy succumbed to hypothermia in a tent in Deir al-Balah, located in central Gaza.
The storm wreaked havoc on the area, tearing tents from their anchors and sending them flying considerable distances before crashing to the ground. Families scrambled to salvage their belongings as some tents lay crumpled in muddy pools.
A heartbreaking incident involved three members of the same family – Mohamed Hamouda, 72, his 15-year-old granddaughter, and his daughter-in-law. They lost their lives when an eight-meter wall collapsed onto their tent along the coast of Gaza City. Several others were injured in the collapse.
Relatives of the deceased gathered to remove debris and rebuild the damaged tent shelters. Bassel Hamouda, a family member, recounted the terrifying experience of the wall collapsing on their tents due to the forceful winds.
Residents worked tirelessly to secure remaining shelters, reinforcing them with sandbags and securing loose pegs to prevent floodwaters from entering. Meanwhile, mourners gathered at a hospital morgue for special prayers before the funerals.
Since a ceasefire was implemented three months ago, Israeli forces have mandated the nearly complete evacuation of a significant portion of Gaza’s population, forcing over two million people into a confined coastal area where makeshift tents and damaged buildings serve as their homes.
The dire situation was underscored by Saeed Saadallah, whose tent housing his family of ten was swept into the sea during the storm. Families struggled to retrieve their belongings from the water, while some constructed sand barriers to hold back the rising tide.
Winter-related casualties have been reported in Gaza, with at least 31 Palestinians succumbing to the cold or unsafe building collapses caused by past Israeli attacks. The harsh weather conditions, with temperatures hovering around 12 degrees Celsius, have posed significant challenges for the vulnerable population in Gaza.
Municipal and civil defense authorities faced difficulties responding to the storm due to fuel shortages and damaged equipment, a situation compounded by the destruction of essential vehicles during the prior conflict. Urgent calls have been made for 300,000 new tents to accommodate the displaced individuals in Gaza.
UNRWA and Palestinian officials highlighted the urgent need for additional tents, as the existing shelters are inadequate to withstand the winter weather. The ongoing challenges in Gaza underscore the critical need for humanitarian assistance and rebuilding efforts to support the affected population.
