Recent inclement weather affecting the Gaza Strip has caused significant casualties and widespread property damage, the region's Civil Defense announced Monday.
The authority's spokesman, Mahmoud Basal, said in a statement that due to the adverse weather, multiple habitable buildings in Gaza had completely collapsed.
Strong winds and heavy rains had also severely damaged temporary tents for displaced persons, with over 90 percent of tents either blown down or flooded, further exacerbating the survival challenges for local residents, it said.
The civil defense authority called on the international community to take immediate action and provide emergency assistance to the Gaza people. Hundreds of displacement tents have been damaged by strong winds and heavy rain across the enclave, worsening the already dire humanitarian situation.
"My suffering began from the start of the war and continues until today. We have suffered from displacement, from winter and from the tents. Our tent was flooded during the previous weather depression, and again during this one. Every time it rains, we drown. My children and I try to dig channels to let the water out, but we still end up flooded," said Heba Hasanin, a displaced Palestinian.
"The weather system hit us suddenly last night. There were strong winds and heavy rain, and we were unable to put sand around the tent to keep it from being blown away. As you can see, the tent is just torn fabric, with water pouring in on us. We were truly in a very difficult situation," said Abd Abdulhadi, another displaced Palestinian.
Over the weekend, winter rains lashed the Gaza Strip, flooding displacement camps with ankle-deep water. Gaza's Health Authority said at least 12 people, including a two-week-old infant, have died from hypothermia or weather-related collapses.
Emergency workers have warned residents against staying in damaged buildings. But with much of the territory in rubble, few places remain to take cover from the rain.
Inclement weather causes widespread losses in Gaza: civil defense
Inclement weather causes widespread losses in Gaza: civil defense
Inclement weather causes widespread losses in Gaza: civil defense
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Thursday that UN Security Council actions must not provide legal cover for unauthorized military operations, nor should they heighten tensions or escalate conflict.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks in a phone conversation with Kaja Kallas, the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the European Commission.
Kallas shared her views on the situation in the Middle East and commended China's active diplomatic mediation efforts to ease the situation, including the latest five-point joint initiative issued by China and Pakistan for restoring peace and stability in the Gulf and the Middle East.
The European side has not been involved in this war but has suffered from its spillover effects, she said, expressing hope for swiftly de-escalating the war and resuming dialogue and negotiations.
The European side supports UN humanitarian operations, the protection of civilians and non-military targets, and will make every effort to ensure the opening of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, she said.
Wang said that amid the current international turmoil, it is the shared responsibility of China and Europe to step up communication and exchanges, and to uphold the UN-centered international system and the international order based on international law.
Wang elaborated on China's principled position on the Middle East situation, noting that the five-point initiative proposed by China and Pakistan reflects a broad international consensus, whose core elements include a cessation of hostilities, the start of peace talks as soon as possible, ensuring the security of non-military targets and security of shipping lanes, and safeguarding the primacy of the UN Charter.
A ceasefire and an end to hostilities are the strong call of the international community, and also the fundamental solution to ensuring safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, Wang said, adding that all parties should build greater consensus and create the necessary conditions to that end.
The UN Security Council actions should focus on cooling down the situation and de-escalating tensions, Wang said, adding that China stands ready to maintain communication and cooperation with the European side to promote an early end to hostilities and restore regional peace.
The two sides also exchanged views on China-EU relations. Wang said that China's development represents opportunities for Europe, and that the challenges Europe faces do not originate from China. Protectionism does not enhance competitiveness, and decoupling from China means decoupling from opportunities, Wang said, expressing hope that the European side will develop a comprehensive and objective perception of China and maintain the correct direction of China-EU relations.
Kallas said that the European side views China as an important cooperation partner, does not seek decoupling from China, and looks forward to maintaining dialogue and communication between the two sides.
Chinese FM says UN Security Council actions should not legitimize unauthorized military operations
