The Gaza Strip, already devastated by months of ongoing conflict, faces an additional challenge as seasonal rains flood the tents of displaced families. Heavy downpours over the past week have worsened the living conditions of hundreds of thousands of Gazans, compounding the suffering caused by the war with Israel. As Israeli airstrikes intensify, the displaced population is struggling to survive amidst increasing devastation.
Gaza’s Struggle: Rains and War Combine
Rainstorms that have soaked Gaza this week have wreaked havoc on temporary shelters for displaced families. Many of the makeshift tents and plastic sheeting used to provide some protection are no match for the heavy downpours. Water has flooded tents, damaging personal belongings and leaving families scrambling for shelter. The situation is dire: families are already living in cramped conditions after months of displacement due to the ongoing conflict, and now they must contend with the destructive power of winter storms.
- Buckets and Trenches as Shields: In an attempt to keep their living spaces dry, families are using buckets to catch water and digging trenches to divert rainfall away from their tents.
- Worn-Out Shelters: Many of the shelters built earlier in the war have become useless over time. Yet, the price of new tents and plastic sheeting has skyrocketed, making it nearly impossible for families to afford replacements.
In Khan Younis, Suad Al-Sabea, a mother of six, is one of many who now faces a tough choice between surviving the elements or losing the means to support her children. Living in a classroom with broken windows in a school shelter, Al-Sabea bakes bread in a wood-fired oven to provide for her family. However, the relentless rain has spoiled her flour and damaged her oven, threatening her livelihood.
“I Was Scared of Life or Death, Now I Worry About the Rain”
Al-Sabea’s story reflects the shift in priorities for the displaced families of Gaza. Where once survival in the face of airstrikes and bombs was the primary concern, now it is the struggle against the relentless rain that adds another layer of misery.
“I was scared of life or death, now we worry about the rain,” she said, her voice tinged with both exhaustion and despair. “The dough drowned in water, and many mattresses drowned in water. It was raining on top of my head and I kept baking to provide for my children.” This tragic shift in priorities highlights the compounded nature of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
- Damaged Homes and Lost Livelihoods: Al-Sabea’s struggle is not an isolated incident. Many displaced people across Gaza are in similar situations, forced to continue their daily routines despite the destruction caused by the rains. Some encampments near the beach have been flooded, with seawater sweeping away tents and belongings, leaving families with nothing to protect them.
The Human Toll of the Winter Storm
As winter rains continue to fall, the already precarious living conditions of Gaza’s displaced population are becoming untenable. According to Gaza’s Hamas-run government, around 10,000 tents have been damaged or washed away by the storm. 81% of the tents housing displaced persons are now unusable, leaving 110,000 people in urgent need of new shelter.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has raised alarms about the worsening situation. They estimate that half a million people are at risk due to flooding and the ongoing airstrikes. The rains will continue to worsen the conditions for these displaced families, making it harder for them to survive the ongoing conflict.
- Damaged Infrastructure: Aside from the damage to tents, the flooding has destroyed roads and limited access to vital resources. The situation is already dire, and each additional drop of rain seems to increase the suffering of the displaced people.
Israel’s Intensified Strikes: More Destruction in Gaza
The situation in Gaza is made even more desperate by the escalation of Israeli military operations. As the rainstorms continue to flood the region, Israel has stepped up airstrikes and artillery shelling, targeting civilian areas and infrastructure. Over the weekend, a deadly Israeli airstrike in Rafah killed at least four people, while seven others were killed in two additional strikes near Jabalia, one of Gaza’s largest refugee camps.
- Evacuations and Demolition: Israeli forces have dropped leaflets in the areas of Beit Lahiya and Beit Hanoun, instructing residents to evacuate to the south. At the same time, Israeli troops have blown up hundreds of houses in the northern Gaza area, claiming that it was cleared of militants months ago but now needs to be depopulated for security purposes. Palestinians accuse Israel of trying to create a permanent buffer zone along the northern border of Gaza, a charge that Israel denies.
A Staggering Death Toll and Mass Displacement
The toll of the ongoing conflict is staggering. According to officials, more than 44,200 people have been killed in Gaza since the conflict erupted in October 2023. Tens of thousands more have been injured, and the number of displaced persons is now approaching 1.5 million, many of whom have been uprooted multiple times. With the war now entering its second year, the Gaza Strip has been reduced to rubble, and millions of people are living without access to basic necessities like clean water, food, and shelter.
The worsening winter storms add yet another layer to the dire situation. For the displaced families of Gaza, each drop of rain is a reminder of their daily fight for survival—both against the elements and the continued violence of the conflict.
The International Call for Aid
As the situation in Gaza becomes increasingly dire, international humanitarian organizations have called for urgent assistance to provide for the growing needs of displaced families. With both shelter and resources in short supply, aid is desperately needed to support the families who have lost everything.
- Tents and Caravans: Agencies are calling for donations of tents and mobile shelters to replace the thousands that have been destroyed by the rains. Without such aid, the displacement crisis in Gaza will only worsen.
- Emergency Relief: Medical supplies, food, and clean water are also critical to preventing further suffering and loss of life.
Conclusion: The Unseen Crisis in Gaza
The displaced families of Gaza face a crisis within a crisis, as both the war and the winter storms threaten their survival. For people like Suad Al-Sabea, whose livelihood has been destroyed by the rains, and Mariam Abu Saqer, who narrowly rescued her daughter from the floodwaters, the situation is one of profound despair. But there is hope.
The international community must step up to provide aid and resources to those in desperate need. The people of Gaza have endured unimaginable hardship, but with the right support, they can begin to rebuild their lives.
Relevant Links for Further Reading:
- UNRWA Link to UNRWA
- Israeli Airstrikes in Gaza Link to Israeli Military Action
- Gaza Humanitarian Crisis Link to UN Appeal for Gaza
