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Witnesses recount struggle to save people buried in ‘horrifying’ Gaza landslide
Heavy rain and strong winds triggered a landslide at a camp for displaced families south of Deir al-Balah, killing five people and burying three tents. Witnesses described residents digging through sand and breaking apart a boulder to reach those trapped; the deaths included a mother and her two young children.
The storm damage adds to the dangers facing Gaza’s displaced population, most of whom live in tents or damaged buildings. The UN said more than 26,000 households reported damage to shelters or belongings, while Gaza’s government media office said about 70,000 tents were flooded on the first day of rain. Reconstruction has made little progress amid unresolved ceasefire negotiations and restrictions on some shelter materials.
In short
- A landslide killed five people at a displacement camp.
- Heavy rain damaged shelters across Gaza.
- Most residents remain in tents or damaged buildings.
Explained simply
Many people in Gaza have been displaced from their homes during the war and are living in tents or damaged buildings, including around Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip. These shelters offer limited protection from severe weather, and overcrowding can make it harder for families to find safer places to stay.
The United Nations and Gaza’s government media office have reported widespread damage to shelters and belongings during the recent rains. Rebuilding and improving shelter conditions depend partly on access to materials and on the wider conflict and ceasefire negotiations, which remain unresolved.