GAZA/CAIRO – Heavy rain swept through the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, flooding tents and shelters of thousands of Palestinians displaced by Israel’s two-year war. Many residents now face the prospect of harsh winter conditions without sturdy homes.
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The conflict, which displaced the majority of Gaza’s 2 million residents, destroyed much of the enclave’s infrastructure, leaving people dependent on tents, temporary shelters, and basic facilities. “This suffering, this rain – and the low-pressure weather systems haven’t even started yet. It’s only the beginning of winter, and we’re already flooded and humiliated,” said Um Ahmed Aowdah outside her tent.
Palestinian aid groups have warned of an urgent need for at least 300,000 new tents to house roughly 1.5 million displaced people. Many existing tents, two years old and worn out, were submerged or damaged by floodwaters reaching 40–50 centimeters in some areas. A field hospital had to suspend operations due to the heavy rain, medics and witnesses reported.
Rainwater is flooding displaced people’s tents across Gaza, as 1000s face severe conditions: children are permanently cold & soaked through pic.twitter.com/I5QTOl5bIc
— Sarah Wilkinson (@swilkinsonbc) November 26, 2025
The Palestinian Civil Defence Service confirmed that thousands of tents were inundated or destroyed over the past week, while UN agencies said aid deliveries are limited by Israeli restrictions. Gaza authorities accuse Israel of not allowing sufficient supplies under the ceasefire deal, though Israel maintains it is complying fully and blames aid agencies for distribution inefficiencies.
With winter just beginning, aid groups have expressed concern over the worsening humanitarian situation. Amjad Al-Shawa, head of the Palestinian NGOs Network, stressed that immediate action is needed to provide adequate shelter and prevent further suffering among Gaza’s displaced population.
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The UN and other humanitarian organizations are working to bring winter supplies into the territory, but limitations on aid movement continue to put vulnerable families at risk as temperatures drop and stormy conditions persist.