Heavy rains over the past week have intensified the already dire conditions for hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, according to UN agencies. The sudden downpours have caused widespread flooding, damaged homes and shelters, and heightened concerns for the health and safety of vulnerable residents, particularly children.
Jonathan Crickx, UNICEF’s spokesperson for the region, described the situation as “horrendous,” reporting that in some areas water levels reached up to 15cm (6 inches). He expressed grave concerns about children living in tents and makeshift shelters, many of whom have damp clothing, being at serious risk of hypothermia and illness.
Tragically, Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry confirmed that a two-week-old baby, Mohammed Abu al-Khair, died from hypothermia, while at least 11 others perished in building collapses caused by the stormy weather. The Hamas Civil Defence agency reported that 17 people, including four children, lost their lives due to collapsed buildings, with 17 residential structures completely destroyed and another 90 partially damaged. Videos circulated on Tuesday showed rescue teams recovering bodies from rubble, highlighting the ongoing danger residents face.
UN agencies and partners have been delivering aid since the ceasefire began nine weeks ago, supplying thousands of tents, blankets, and winter clothing kits. UNICEF alone distributed 250,000 winter clothing kits, 600,000 blankets, and 7,000 tents. Despite these efforts, aid remains insufficient to meet the massive needs of displaced families, with approximately 55,000 households affected by the recent rains. Many emergency shelters have been severely flooded, forcing further relocations, while fragile tents made of tarpaulin and wooden frames are at risk of being destroyed by strong winds accompanying the rainfall.
Crickx emphasized the relentless work to provide assistance, stating, “We are working tirelessly to bring in and distribute aid, but the scale of the needs is immense, and thousands of children and families continue to suffer every night.”
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) warned that the collapse of damaged buildings due to severe weather highlights the urgent need for sustained humanitarian support, including food, shelter, and infrastructure repair. Meanwhile, Israel’s COGAT authority maintains that humanitarian aid is flowing steadily, with between 600 and 800 lorries entering Gaza daily, delivering tents, tarpaulins, blankets, and clothing.
The second phase of the ceasefire includes plans for reconstruction, post-war governance, Israeli troop withdrawal, and the disarmament of Hamas. As reconstruction efforts prepare to begin, displaced Gazans continue to face harsh winter conditions, and the world is reminded of the urgent need for lasting solutions to protect civilians and rebuild their homes.
Since the outbreak of the conflict triggered by Hamas’ attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, over 70,600 people in Gaza have lost their lives due to Israeli attacks, with thousands more displaced and living under precarious conditions. The humanitarian crisis worsened by recent rains underlines the fragility of life for those trapped in the aftermath of war.