Heavy rain worsens misery of displaced Palestinians in Gaza

Days of heavy rains have worsened the misery of displaced Palestinians in Gaza amid the ongoing conflict, flooding and damaging their makeshift tents.

More than a year since the outbreak of the Israel-Palestine conflict, Gazans are still far from having stable housing. They endured harsh living conditions in temporary tents.

According to the Palestinian Civil Defense, floodwater have risen by more than 30 centimeters inside tents in some severely affected areas, leaving displaced people exposed to the cold and damaging their temporary shelters.

Emergency services reported that several areas, including the southern, northern, and central Gaza Strip, have become uninhabitable due to flooding. Winter remains the most challenging season for over 1.9 million displaced people, as their tents offer little protection from the harsh weather conditions.

In the Deir el-Balah area, floodwater remained at the tent sites, and drainage was difficult.

Ismail Nadim, a displaced Palestinian man, described how their hardship was compounded by the wave of heavy rains.

"After we were displaced, we were exposed to a severe cold wave and heavy rains that drowned us and destroyed everything we had. We do not have a suitable tent to live in, and no one feels for us or looks after our condition. The severe cold made us spend three consecutive nights suffering in harsh conditions. When the storm swept over us and the rainwater entered our tent, my children had to go out due to the severe cold and rain. The nylon covering the tent was torn, and the water flooded everything. Now we are trying to dry the damaged mattresses, but we live in very difficult conditions, without the minimum requirements for a decent life," he said.

The floodwater inundated the fragile tents, soaking mattresses and clothes, leaving displaced families struggling to keep warm, especially for their children.

"The water surrounded us from all sides, and we couldn't manage our situation. We tried to drain the water away from us, but we couldn't. There is no mattress now to sleep on, I put it in the sun to dry. There are no clothes for my children, not even shoes to wear. We can barely provide them with clothes," said Palestinian woman Walaa Abu Khousa.

Heavy rain worsens misery of displaced Palestinians in Gaza

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said on Monday that Iran has obtained extensive documents and evidence linking the recent unrest across the country to the U.S. and Israel, noting that Mossad agents attempted to direct such "terrorist acts."

Araghchi said at a press conference in Tehran that since Dec 28, 2025, Iran had seen peaceful demonstrations organized by industry associations and economic professional. In the following days, more participants joined, and the situation gradually escalated from peaceful rallies into violent clashes.

Beginning on Jan 8, terrorists and armed groups carrying weapons entered protest sites and opened fire on police and civilians, with the aim of steering demonstrations toward violence, bloodshed and chaos, he said.

"Israeli media reports are rife with claims that Israel has designed and conducted operations in Iran. Mr. [Mike] Pompeo, who was Trump's CIA director, said on his X that 'Happy New Year to every Iranian in the streets. Also to every Mossad agent walking beside them.' This clearly shows that Mossad agents attempted to direct such terrorist acts," the minister said. Addressing military threats from the U.S. and Israel, Araghchi said Iran does not seek war but is fully prepared to face up to war. He added that Iran is ready for serious and pragmatic negotiations with the U.S., but the talks must be based on fairness, equality and mutual respect, rather than unilateral pressure or directives from Washington.

On the same day, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei condemned the U.S. and Israel at a regular press briefing in Tehran. He said the two countries have made "extensive interventionist remarks" regarding Iran's situation, saying such statements are intended to foment chaos, violence and instability.

The spokesman said Iran is closely monitoring the development of the situation and remains fully prepared, warning that Iran's armed forces will respond to any act of aggression by its enemies.

Mossad agents attempt to direct terrorist acts: Iranian FM