Gaza Displacement Camps Face Winter Flooding Risk, Over 1,000 Sites Threatened

The Network of Civil Organizations in the Gaza Strip issued a warning on Tuesday that over 1,000 sites housing displaced people are at risk of flooding this winter. Many of these shelters are located in low-lying areas lacking adequate protection and rainwater drainage systems, compounded by a severe shortage of tents and essential shelter supplies.

Mohammed Salha, the General Coordinator for the network, stated that the dangers are escalating with the onset of winter and approaching low-pressure systems. He highlighted that the sites sheltering thousands of families lack sufficient measures to mitigate the impact of rain and floods. Salha noted that the influx of tents and tarpaulins into Gaza remains very limited and insufficient for the immense needs, especially as many existing tents have been damaged by prolonged use and weather conditions, making replacement urgent.

Humanitarian institutions and UN agencies are struggling to meet the growing needs due to depleted stocks of shelter materials and a scarcity of available supplies, despite repeated calls for aid. Displaced families in Gaza are enduring harsh living conditions, residing in tents that offer little protection from cold and rain. The damage to homes and infrastructure during the ongoing conflict further complicates efforts to find safe alternative accommodations as winter approaches.

The article also attributes the suffering of Gaza's residents to Israel's alleged failure to uphold its obligations under a ceasefire agreement that began in October 2025. This alleged non-compliance has led to critical shortages of food, medicine, drinking water, shelter, and fuel, among other necessities stipulated in the agreement.