‘Tents don’t protect us’: Rains flood displaced Palestinians in Gaza

Heavy rain has flooded more than 70,000 tents across Gaza since late Friday, leaving displaced families exposed to cold, mud and further flooding. The damage highlights the severe shelter crisis, with many people still living in makeshift camps despite an agreement that was meant to provide temporary housing.

Jaber al-Kaseeh said rain flooded his family’s tent in az-Zawayda, ruining bedding and food; it is their fourth winter in a tent after repeated displacement. Gaza’s Government Media Office says hundreds of thousands are sheltering in areas highly vulnerable to flooding, while the UN estimates Gaza needs about 121,000 tents and 561,000 tarpaulins. The article reports that only 20,000 tents have entered Gaza, while 60,000 mobile homes and 200,000 tents remain blocked or undelivered.