Tens of thousands of displaced Gazans, already living in overcrowded tents and damaged buildings due to the Israel-Hamas conflict, now face deadly winter storms that have flooded shelters, collapsed structures and intensified an already dire humanitarian crisis.
In Beit Lahia's Bir al-Naja area in northern Gaza, civil defense teams were seen searching through the ruins of collapsed buildings for victims and survivors. Thunderstorms and driving rain have caused some homes to collapse, trapping residents beneath.
"Around 04:30 in the morning, we were still asleep when we were jolted awake by a terrible vibration. To our shock, we discovered that our neighbor's house completely collapsed, burying them under the debris. They had no choice but to live there, even though it was unfit for habitation. There was simply nowhere else to go. No one cares about us. At the very least, people in our situation should be provided with mobile shelters to live in. These tents are unsuitable. a gust of wind is all it takes for them to fall down," said Yehya Abu Nada, a displaced resident.
With no proper housing, residents are forced to seek refuge in what little remains of partially destroyed buildings to escape the rain and cold. In a makeshift camp in western Gaza City, adults were seen scooping muddy water from soaked tents using fabric and plastic containers, while children waded barefoot through contaminated floodwater. Blankets, clothes, and the little food that families had were all soaked, leaving them with virtually nothing.
"Look at the flooded ground, we're sleeping in water, and the tents are leaking from above. These tents are thin, old, and can't keep the rain out," said Mohamed Hajar, another displaced resident.
Gaza's already fragile infrastructure, systemically destroyed in the war, has made the storm's impact far more devastating. The most urgent problem now is the severe shortage of humanitarian supplies critical to surviving winter. According to United Nations reports, while some aid has reached Gaza, large volumes of essential winter supplies remain blocked or delayed at Israeli-controlled crossings, making timely delivery nearly impossible.
"As you can see, with winter arriving, the tents are in terrible shape. We try to seal them off from all sides, but it doesn't help. The more it rains, the more sand and water seep in from underneath," said Khaled Ghrib, a displaced resident.
For the displaced in Gaza, the storm represents more than just bad weather. It is the result of war, blockade, and a collapsing humanitarian system.
Storms deepen Gaza’s humanitarian crisis
Storms deepen Gaza’s humanitarian crisis
Storms deepen Gaza’s humanitarian crisis
