A strong winter storm swept across Gaza and soaked large tent camps with heavy rain. Families woke up as water rushed inside. Children stood in freezing brown water that reached their knees. Dirt paths soon turned into deep mud, and garbage mixed with sewage flowed across the camps.
Storm unleashes cold, floods, and fear in Gaza
People tried to stay warm, yet many had no dry clothes or blankets. Their tents leaked from the roof and the ground. Many parents said their children cried through the night. Elderly people and sick residents struggled the most as temperatures dropped quickly.
Rescue teams received thousands of distress calls during the storm. Some damaged buildings partially collapsed under the rain. This forced many families to leave unsafe structures and stay in flooded tents instead. People used buckets and small pots to remove water, but the effort felt endless.
Many mothers said their babies were shivering because their bedding stayed wet for hours. Some children woke up soaked and blue from the cold. Families said they could not afford dry clothes or warm bedding. Many lacked towels, sheets, or mattresses.
Aid shortages worsen daily suffering
Aid groups warned that Gaza is not receiving enough supplies to handle the winter storm. They said too few trucks enter the territory each day. This goes against the requirements of the ceasefire, which called for a steady flow of aid. However, reports showed that the promised numbers were not being met.
Shelter groups counted far fewer tents than needed. Many of the tents that arrived lacked insulation and offered little protection from cold winds. Some families received no new materials at all. This kept them exposed to rain, mud, and freezing temperatures.
Organizations also noted that water pumps are not entering Gaza. Without pumps, families cannot drain standing water from the camps. As a result, puddles grow deeper after every storm. Many shelters remain flooded for hours and sometimes even days.
Health workers said overcrowded and wet conditions increase the spread of sickness. Cold weather, dirty floodwater, and weak shelter walls raise the risk of infections. Children and elderly people face the highest danger. Many clinics remain damaged or overloaded.
Aid leaders added that rebuilding remains impossible because heavy machinery cannot enter Gaza. Workers cannot remove rubble or repair broken buildings. Because of this, families stay in tents that offer little protection from harsh winter weather.
War damage and harsh weather collide
The storm revealed how fragile life in Gaza has become. Most homes remain destroyed or unsafe after months of fighting. Nearly the entire population now lives in tents or damaged buildings. These shelters cannot withstand heavy rain or strong winds.
The camps stretch across coastal areas and open fields. Families live inches away from deep mud and standing water. When storms strike, entire camps flood within minutes. Many tents tilt or collapse as rain gathers on their roofs. Parents struggle to keep their children warm and dry.
While the storm also hit parts of southern Israel, Gaza suffered far more damage. The territory has no strong drainage system and very few stable buildings. So floodwater spreads fast and leaves families with no safe place to stay.
People in Gaza tried to continue daily routines, yet everything became harder. They waited in long lines for food and water. They then returned to tents filled with cold puddles and wet floors. Some had no dry spot to sit or sleep.
Emergency teams said distress calls increased throughout the storm. They warned that many families face serious danger each time rain begins to fall. Without proper shelter or enough aid, thousands remain exposed to cold, flooding, and illness.
