Fears of 'catastrophic consequences' in Gaza as rain floods tents

Heavy rain flooded the tents of displaced Palestinians in Gaza on Friday, as forecast thunderstorms threaten “catastrophic consequences” for nearly two million people without shelter.

Thousands of families in makeshift displacement camps woke up to find their tents flooded in the early hours of Friday, according to local media.

The Palestinian Civil Defence in Gaza has warned residents, especially the displaced, to take necessary precautions against potential destruction from the storm.

The Palestinian Meteorological Department issued warnings of flash floods in low-lying areas and valleys across the Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank, with strong winds, heavy rain, and thunderstorms expected over the coming days.

Adnan Abu Hasna, spokesperson for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (Unrwa), said the “approaching storm will have catastrophic consequences for displaced people in the Gaza Strip”.

According to Khan Younis municipality, more than 900,000 displaced people live in tents in the al-Mawasi area in southern Gaza alone.

A municipal spokesperson said their safety is at risk and stressed the urgent need for equipment to build flood-prevention barriers.

Hundreds of thousands more are displaced across the Gaza Strip.

Using simple, improvised tools, displaced Palestinians try to drain rainwater that has flooded their worn-out tents as the first winter storm hits the Gaza Strip. pic.twitter.com/ae09MZL6E8

— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) November 14, 2025

Many families live in cramped conditions with little privacy and face shortages of basic services and essentials in the makeshift camps, according to Unrwa.

During its two-year genocidal war in Gaza, the Israeli military damaged or destroyed 83 percent of all structures and housing units in the Strip, including schools, universities, hospitals, and other facilities that people normally relied on for shelter during displacement.

The Global Shelter Cluster reports that more than 282,000 homes have been razed or damaged.

'We hate winter': Palestinians face the rain without shelters as Israel blocks tents

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Earlier this month, the Red Cross and Unrwa warned that at least 259,000 families will face winter “without adequate protection” as Israeli restrictions continue to block the entry of lifesaving shelter supplies.

Despite a ceasefire taking effect last month, Israel has restricted the entry of shelters and equipment needed to repair homes.

Under the agreement with Hamas, Israel was required to allow hundreds of thousands of tents and mobile shelters into Gaza as temporary housing for those who lost their homes.

However, Israel has violated the agreement by imposing heavy restrictions on relief materials, tools and machinery needed to address the humanitarian crisis.

On average, 150 aid trucks have entered Gaza daily since the ceasefire, significantly fewer than the 600 trucks agreed upon.