Gaza, which is suffering from the havoc of Israeli attacks, is now wreaking havoc due to sky-high rains. The first heavy rains of the season flooded the vast Muwasi tent camp in the Gaza Strip on Saturday (15 November). Due to which people are facing a lot of problems.

This troubled area is struggling with floods and destroyed infrastructure after the last two years of war. Residents tried to dig pits to prevent water from filling their tents. Rainwater is dripping from torn parts of tarpaulins and temporary shelters. Due to intermittent rains, the remaining belongings of the families taking shelter in the camps got drenched.

Fear of roofs falling due to strong winds

Along with rain, strong winds are also a cause of trouble. Due to which there is a fear of these panels falling. It can also ruin families’ efforts to gather food and supplies. Severe winter is starting, people are facing problems due to rain.

no drainage system

Just two weeks ago, a man named Basil Naggar had bought a new tent for 2300 NIS (712.50 US dollars), because the scorching heat had worn out his old tent and weakened it. Still, rain water is leaking from their tent. Naggar told that last day (Friday) he spent the whole day in draining water from the tent. He told that the tents and belongings of his neighbors were completely destroyed. He said that the water pits are several inches high and there is no proper system to drain the water.

Muwasi, a largely undeveloped mound before Israeli forces declared it a humanitarian zone early in the war, was home to 425,000 displaced Palestinians last summer, most of whom were living in makeshift tents, according to the United Nations.

shelter in pieces of tarpaulin

The Israeli defense body in charge of humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip has said it is allowing the delivery of winter supplies, including blankets and heavy tarpaulins, but aid organizations have warned that these efforts are inadequate due to winter temperatures dropping and strong winds blowing from the sea. It is being said that when rain was expected, some people tried to take shelter in collapsed buildings, even buildings in danger of collapse, and in pieces of tarpaulin.

War between Israel and Hamas

The war between Israel and Hamas started on October 7, 2023. Hamas-led militants suddenly attacked Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking 251 civilians hostage. Hamas still has the bodies of three hostages, whom Israel is demanding back before moving on to the second phase of the ceasefire. Hamas has said it has been unable to locate bodies under the debris, but Israel has accused Hamas of procrastination.

First phase of ceasefire agreement

The first phase of the ceasefire agreement, which came into force on October 10, is now nearing its end. The next phase calls for the formation of a governing body for Gaza and the deployment of an international stabilization force. It is not yet clear what is the status of either of them.

69,100 people died in Israeli attacks

Meanwhile, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, 69,100 people have been killed in Israel’s military campaign against Gaza, including many women and children. Israeli attacks have devastated large parts of Gaza and displaced nearly 90 percent of the population of about two million Palestinians.