World

Heavy Rains Flood Hundreds of Thousands of Displaced Palestinians in Gaza

By Maram Humaid

On Saturday night, heavy rain forced water into Jaber al‑Kaseeh’s tent in the az‑Zawayda area of central Gaza, flooding the floor and soaking mattresses, carpets, blankets and the family’s food supplies. The 70‑year‑old told Al Jazeera that the area outside the displacement camp had become a swimming pool and that more than 70,000 tents had been flooded since late Friday. Hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians are sheltering in locations considered highly vulnerable to further flooding.

Israel has continued to block the entry of goods into Gaza, including 60,000 mobile homes and 200,000 tents promised under the ceasefire deal signed more than a year ago. Only 20,000 tents have been allowed in, and mobile homes have remained parked on the Egyptian side of the border for over two years.

Jaber, originally from Beit Lahiya in northern Gaza, has lived in a tent for four winters. He said his camp was flooded three or four times last winter, forcing many families to leave. About 40 tents remain, but the latest flooding has left them in even worse condition. He urgently needs tents, tarpaulins, plastic sheets, mattresses, blankets and carpets to protect his family from the difficult days ahead. He added that he has not received any of the promised mobile homes or temporary housing units.

The situation reflects a wider shelter crisis across Gaza. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) estimates that Gaza requires approximately 121,000 tents and 561,000 tarpaulins, while available stocks remain far below what is needed. Trucks carrying mobile homes and equipment have reportedly been waiting on the Egyptian side of the border while Palestinians live in misery in dilapidated tent camps.

Om Hani Hamouda, a displaced woman from Beit Lahiya now sheltering in al‑Zawayda, said the tents do not protect her from cold, storms or rain. She hopes the ceasefire agreement will allow her family to return to northern Gaza or receive a caravan or building materials, but she has seen no progress.

Ramy Abdu, chairman of the Euro‑Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor, told Al Jazeera that large quantities of tents, caravans, prefabricated housing units and shelter equipment remain stranded at Gaza’s borders because of Israeli restrictions. He noted that more than 1.5 million displaced Palestinians are facing another winter in worn‑out tents, and that even people living in houses and apartments remain exposed to the elements because of extensive damage to homes and infrastructure.

Jihad Dawwas, 51, described how water poured into the tents at the displacement camp where he is sheltering, and how strong winds blew away many of the surrounding tents. His children slept standing up after rainwater soaked their mattresses and the plastic sheets covering their shelter. He said he had bought the family’s tent with his own money and had received no tent from any charity or aid initiative. He added that he has seen no caravans or temporary housing units arrive to help displaced families, despite the expectations raised by the ceasefire agreement.