Flooded Tents and Freezing Rain Deepen Gaza’s Humanitarian Crisis

Tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians in Gaza Strip are facing severe hardship as heavy rain, strong winds, and plunging temperatures flood tents and scatter debris across the war-ravaged enclave.

Meteorologists say a polar low-pressure system swept across Gaza on Saturday, bringing torrential rain and gusty winds. It is the third polar low to hit the territory this winter, with a fourth system forecast to arrive on Monday, according to meteorologist Laith al-Allami, who spoke to Anadolu Agency. Local authorities warned that the rainfall could intensify into a full-scale storm, raising fears of further flooding and exposure.

Many families have been living in makeshift tents since late 2023, after prolonged Israeli bombardment destroyed homes and infrastructure. With little protection against winter weather, tents have been inundated with water, leaving residents soaked and vulnerable.

Mohammed Maslah, a displaced resident now sheltering in Gaza City, told Al Jazeera that he has nowhere else to go. “I could not find anywhere to live in Gaza, except Gaza Port,” he said. “I’m forced to stay here because my home is under Israeli control. After just a few hours of rain, we were soaked.”

In Deir al-Balah, Shaima Wadi, a mother of four displaced from Jabaliya in northern Gaza, described similar conditions to the Associated Press. “We have been living in this tent for two years,” she said. “Every time it rains and the tent collapses over our heads, we try to put up new pieces of wood. With how expensive everything has become, and without any income, we can barely afford clothes for our children or mattresses for them to sleep on.”

Humanitarian groups warn that continued exposure to harsh winter conditions, combined with widespread destruction and shortages of basic supplies, is worsening Gaza’s already dire humanitarian situation as displaced families brace for more storms in the coming days.