Winter rains worsen plight of displaced Gazans

In Gaza, winter rains exacerbate the hardships of Palestinians who have been displaced by the recent conflict, forcing many into flooded tent.

Aziza al-Shabrawi, struggling to cope with rainwater in her family’s tent, highlights the dire conditions faced by families, including her sick son and barefoot daughter. As temperatures drop, war-weary residents, already grappling with the aftermath of the conflict, find themselves sleeping under plastic sheets due to the lack of adequate shelter.

The toll of over 1.9 million people displaced during more than two months of war, half of them children, paints a grim picture. Many fled to the southern city of Rafah following Israeli military orders, only to face further challenges as rain inundates makeshift shelters. Rafah, near the Egyptian border, has become a sprawling camp with hundreds of tents made from wood and plastic sheets.

Residents like Bilal al-Qassas describe spending days outdoors, with tents now flooded and fragile structures shaken by gusts of wind. The desperation among the displaced is palpable, with concerns raised about overcrowded conditions, lack of necessities, and inadequate sanitation facilities, increasing the risk of disease spread.

Tens of thousands have sought refuge in Rafah since December 3, facing critical shortages of food, water, shelter, health, and protection, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Open-air defecation is prevalent due to insufficient latrines, posing additional health risks during the rainy season.

The conflict, which erupted on October 7 with a Hamas attack on southern Israel, has claimed thousands of lives, predominantly civilians. As the war enters its third month, Palestinians, surviving without basic amenities like mattresses and blankets, are now grappling with the harsh winter conditions, prompting urgent calls for assistance and relief.