Recent heavy rains have caused flooding in makeshift tent encampments where displaced Palestinians are preparing for a challenging winter, as reported by the United Nations. Efforts to ready for the rainy season in the Gaza Strip have been hindered due to difficulties faced by aid agencies in delivering sufficient supplies to the area.
The intense rainfall has affected various sites where displaced families are residing in Khan Younis and Gaza City. The UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has highlighted approximately 100 flood-prone areas hosting over 450,000 individuals in Khan Younis, Deir al Balah, and the Rafah region.
OCHA has noted that around 1.6 million people in Gaza are living in makeshift shelters, representing about three-quarters of the total population. These structures, often constructed from scrap materials, are particularly vulnerable to rain and flooding.
In response to the situation, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have stated their commitment to collaborating with the international community to facilitate humanitarian aid for Gazan civilians through COGAT, the Israeli agency responsible for approving aid shipments into the territory. The IDF has also mentioned ongoing efforts to enhance essential infrastructure to withstand winter conditions, including repairs to access roads and critical transport routes.
