The key facts

  • More than 70,000 tents flooded in refugee camps in the Gaza Strip
  • Rescuers received over 1,500 calls; evacuation is hampered by a shortage of equipment
  • Preliminary damage to camp infrastructure is estimated at $3 million

Heavy rains flood displaced persons camps

Civil Defense crews in the Gaza Strip are evacuating residents of refugee camps where heavy rains have flooded more than 70,000 tents. A representative of the authorities of the Palestinian enclave told the Maan agency about this; the data is reported by Gazeta.Ru. According to him, over the past 12 hours, downpours and gale-force winds have sharply worsened the already dire humanitarian situation, with tens of thousands of people in urgent need of assistance.

Scale of damage and rescuers' challenges

In several places, temporary structures collapsed due to soil erosion and flooding. Rescuers received more than 1,500 calls, but the evacuation of those affected is hampered by a shortage of equipment. The hardest hit were the displaced persons camps near Gaza's seaport, in the north of the enclave — in Jabalia and Beit Lahia — as well as in the central part — in Deir al-Balah and Nuseirat. Most of the tents used there are in poor condition and do not protect against the elements.

Damage assessment and equipment shortage

According to preliminary estimates cited by the agency, the rains caused $3 million in damage to the infrastructure of temporary camps across the enclave. Authorities report a catastrophic shortage of insulated tents, waterproof flooring, warm clothing, and heaters. The article also contains a link to an earlier published report about Israel's new strikes on the Gaza Strip; details of these strikes are not provided in the publication.