Sand Collapse Kills Woman and Four Children in Gaza Displacement Camp

A woman and four children were killed, and others injured, on Sunday evening when a sand and rock collapse buried tents housing displaced people in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip. The Civil Defense Directorate announced the deaths of five citizens, including three children and two women, in a statement following the incident. Rescue operations for those trapped were ongoing, hampered by a lack of electricity and primitive tools.

The Civil Defense warned that the disaster occurred amid the "catastrophic humanitarian conditions" in Gaza, especially with the onset of winter and increased risks from rain and storms. They cautioned displaced people against setting up tents near sand dunes and unstable soil, particularly during rainfall.

Local sources reported that Civil Defense crews and civilians attempted to rescue the trapped using basic tools due to power outages and a lack of necessary equipment, attributing this to the Israeli blockade on the Gaza Strip.

In response, Hamas issued a statement holding "the occupation fully responsible for the disaster," citing the ongoing blockade and restrictions on shelter and reconstruction, which has confined over two million Palestinians to a small area. Hamas warned of further humanitarian disasters if the aggression and blockade are not stopped and aid, tents, and construction materials are not allowed in.

The Ministry of Social Affairs in Gaza also released a statement, highlighting the "harsh and continuous risks" faced by displaced people in shelters and camps. They blamed the tragedy on "the occupation's arbitrary measures, including reducing available space for displacement" by moving the "yellow line," forcing people to set up tents in dangerous areas. The ministry called on international institutions to find radical solutions to protect civilians and ensure their basic human rights.

Previously, the Ministry of Social Affairs had warned of the consequences of thousands of tents flooding and the resulting suffering, especially for children. They called for the immediate entry of caravans as an emergency solution to protect the displaced and end tent displacement, urging international pressure to end the era of fabric tents, which are no longer suitable for facing weather fluctuations.