Flooded tents leave hundreds of thousands of Gaza displaced families exposed

More than 70,000 tents have been flooded in Gaza since heavy rains began late on Friday, leaving hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians vulnerable to further inundation.

In the az‑Zawayda area of the Gaza Strip, Jaber al‑Kaseeh, a man in his 70s, woke to water rushing into his tent, soaking mattresses, carpets and the limited food his family had stored. He described the surrounding camp as a “swimming pool” after the floodwaters rose.

The Gaza Government Media Office reported that the flooding has affected over 70,000 tents, while the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) estimates the enclave needs around 121,000 tents and 561,000 tarpaulins, far exceeding current supplies.

Israel continues to block the entry of mobile homes and additional tents, despite a cease‑fire agreement that pledged temporary housing units, tents and heavy machinery. Of the 60,000 mobile homes and 200,000 tents earmarked, only 20,000 tents have been allowed in, with mobile homes remaining on the Egyptian side of the border for more than two years.

Displaced residents such as Jaber and Om Hani Hamouda, also from Beit Lahiya, say they have received no new tents, tarpaulins or other protective supplies, despite promises made under the cease‑fire deal.

Source: Al Jazeera. Photo: Hosny salah / Pexels.