Heavy rains and strong winds have flooded thousands of tents across Gaza, leaving tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians struggling to find safe shelter.
The Gaza floods began late Friday, November 6, damaging makeshift camps and worsening an already severe humanitarian crisis.
According to Al Jazeera and Anadolu, Gaza’s Government Media Office reported that approximately 70,000 tents had been flooded.
Meanwhile, emergency services received more than 1,500 calls for help as families tried to protect their belongings from rising water.
Gaza floods destroy temporary shelters
Displaced Palestinians across Gaza have faced days of difficult weather conditions.
Heavy rain entered tents, soaking mattresses, blankets, clothing and other essential belongings.
Strong winds also damaged shelters that families had spent days trying to reinforce.
Reporting from Gaza City, Al Jazeera journalist Ibrahim al-Khalili described the fragile conditions facing displaced families.
He said nearly 400,000 Palestinians were living in locations considered highly vulnerable to further flooding.
Many families have few alternatives because large areas of Gaza’s housing and infrastructure have been destroyed during the war.
Thousands of tents urgently needed
Gaza’s Civil Defence said it received at least 1,500 emergency calls following the storms.
The agency also warned that more than 2,000 buildings were at risk of collapse.
According to its assessment, at least 300,000 tents are needed to provide adequate shelter for displaced people affected by the weather.
Meanwhile, Gaza’s Government Media Office estimated storm damage at approximately $3 million.
These figures reflect assessments reported by local authorities and have not been independently verified.
Humanitarian crisis worsens after heavy rain
The flooding has added to the difficulties facing families already struggling to obtain food, clean water and basic supplies.
Reporting from Deir el-Balah, Al Jazeera journalist Ashraf Abu Amra said displaced families whose shelters were flooded had not received food assistance since early Saturday.
Humanitarian organisations have repeatedly warned about shortages of suitable accommodation and essential supplies.
Jonathan Veitch, UNICEF’s special representative in Palestine, said most people were living in extremely difficult conditions.
He called for additional funding to support urgently needed humanitarian assistance.
Aid restrictions complicate relief efforts
The latest flooding comes as humanitarian agencies continue to face obstacles delivering supplies into Gaza.
According to Al Jazeera, Israeli restrictions on aid, shelter materials and reconstruction supplies have complicated relief operations.
The war, which began in October 2023, has caused extensive destruction to homes, roads and public infrastructure.
As a result, many displaced families remain dependent on temporary shelters that provide limited protection against severe weather.
With further rainfall posing a risk, humanitarian organisations face growing pressure to deliver tents, bedding, food and medical assistance.
For thousands of displaced Palestinians, securing safe shelter remains an urgent priority.