In brief
In Gaza, heavy rains over the weekend exposed the fragility of shelters and led to widespread flooding and the loss of thousands of families’ belongings. UN OCHA reported that emergency supplies such as tents, tarpaulins, blankets and clothes are nearly depleted and urged the swift removal of Israeli restrictions and additional funding. The UN also highlighted ongoing airstrikes causing further casualties.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warned on Monday that heavy rains over the Gaza weekend have intensified the region’s humanitarian crisis, causing flooding, collapsed shelters and the loss of essential supplies.
OCHA detailed that the rainfall, which began on Friday evening, exposed the fragility of shelters, triggered widespread flooding, damaged humanitarian facilities and learning spaces, and disrupted essential services. An infant reportedly drowned and three children and two women were killed when a sandy hill collapsed onto their tents—details confirmed by the office.
Humanitarian partners had mobilized quickly to assess needs and deliver emergency relief, but OCHA underscored that “humanitarian stocks of tents, tarpaulins, blankets and clothes inside Gaza are virtually exhausted.” – OCHA
More than 150,000 tents purchased by humanitarian partners and UN member states were ready outside Gaza for dispatch, yet the office reported insufficient equipment and shelter materials for the scale of the need.
The UN humanitarian coordinator for the occupied Palestinian territory, Ramiz Alakbarov, said in Ramallah that while rain is natural, the people’s vulnerability is man‑made. He pointed to hostilities that have destroyed homes, essential infrastructure, and Israeli restrictions that limit preparation and access to flood‑prone areas.
"Most people are living in worn‑out tents that cannot withstand what would be considered a moderate storm elsewhere," Alakbarov said. He called for the urgent lifting of all unnecessary restrictions and delays, including those preventing humanitarian organizations from bringing enough supplies into Gaza.
OCHA added that airstrikes continued to hit populated areas, causing additional casualties. It urged the international community to provide immediate funding and lift Israeli barriers so that enough supplies, machinery, and manpower can be brought into Gaza to respond to the crisis.