Gaza residents face harsh conditions after flooding and heavy rainfall

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Gaza City, Gaza Strip - A polar low-pressure system brought heavy rain and strong winds to the Gaza Strip on Saturday, prompting authorities to warn of potential intensification into a full-blown storm. The system is expected to be followed by another low-pressure system forecast to hit the area starting on Monday.

Displaced Palestinians in Gaza have been living in tents since late 2023, following two years of Israeli bombardment that destroyed much of the Strip. Many families are struggling to cope with the harsh winter conditions, including freezing temperatures and strong winds.

According to meteorologist Laith al-Allami, this is the third polar low to affect the Palestinian territory this winter, with a fourth system forecast to hit the area soon. The Gaza City authorities have issued warnings about the potential for the downpour to intensify into a storm.

Residents of Gaza City, including displaced Palestinians such as Mohammed Maslah and Shaima Wadi, are facing dire conditions. Maslah told Al Jazeera that he had no choice but to stay in his tent due to lack of alternative housing options. Wadi, a mother of four children, spoke about the difficulties of living in a makeshift shelter, saying “We have been living in this tent for two years… We can barely afford clothes for our children or mattresses for them to sleep on.”

The heavy rains earlier this month flooded tents and makeshift shelters across Gaza, causing damage to buildings that were already severely damaged by Israeli attacks. According to the authorities, at least 15 people died from hypothermia in December due to the harsh weather conditions.

Aid organizations have called for increased humanitarian aid and shelter access for displaced Palestinians. The Civil Defence in the Gaza Port area reported responding to distress calls as weather conditions worsened, with teams working to cover damaged tents with plastic sheets.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to visit Washington, DC, in the coming days, while negotiations continue on the second stage of the ceasefire that took effect on October 10. The peace process has been slow, with challenges including the deployment of an international stabilisation force and further Israeli troop withdrawals from the territory.

Source: Al Jazeera