World
Mudslide in Gaza Claims Five Lives, Authorities Blame Global Inaction
A landslide triggered by heavy rain on Sunday in Deir el‑Balah, central Gaza Strip, killed four children and a woman and left two people missing. The collapse of a sandbank onto a tent shelter occurred after the first winter storm of the year brought widespread flooding to the besieged territory. Floodwaters inundated displacement camps and weakened structures already damaged by Israeli air raids. Israeli military restrictions limited the availability of specialist search and rescue equipment, forcing residents to dig with bare hands to reach survivors.
Al Jazeera correspondent Tareq Abu Azzoum reported that the victims were living in flimsy tents on exposed ground with no protection from the rain. "When the embankment collapsed, those people had no chance to escape or protect themselves," he said, noting the difficult conditions faced by people on the ground.
About 70,000 tents were flooded during the storm, and Save the Children data indicate that more than half a million children are living in critical or catastrophic shelter conditions. The organization stated that a ceasefire announced over a year ago had stipulated the entry of caravans as a more durable alternative to tents, but Israeli authorities have repeatedly blocked their entry into Gaza, leaving hundreds of thousands of children exposed to another winter of hardship.
The Gaza Government Media Office condemned what it described as global “indifference and inaction.” It held Israel, the United States and the international community fully and directly responsible, citing their silence regarding the occupation’s crimes and their complicity in preventing the entry of shelter supplies, construction materials, caravans, fuel and spare parts required for municipal and Civil Defence operations. The office also denounced the lack of action by the Board of Peace and the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, calling their failure to act a serious question about the purpose of these bodies.
Since Israel’s war began on October 7, 2023, more than 74,600 people have been killed. Since a ceasefire took effect in October 2025, Israel has killed more than 1,600 Palestinians.
Frequently asked questions
How many people were killed in the landslide?
Five people were killed, including four children and a woman.
What triggered the landslide in Deir el‑Balah?
Heavy rain during the first winter storm of the year triggered the landslide.
How many tents were flooded during the storm?
About 70,000 tents were flooded during the storm.