Rainy weather in Gaza brings further danger, misery for displaced Palestinians

Key Concepts

• Worsening Weather Conditions: Heavy rain and cold temperatures exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
• Flooded Shelters: Makeshift tents and shelters inundated by rain, damaging essential belongings.
• Material Blockades: Israel's continued restriction on the entry of essential materials like tents and mobile homes.
• Humanitarian Crisis: Deepening suffering due to lack of food, water, shelter, and medical supplies.
• Health Risks: Spread of diseases due to contaminated water mixing with sewage and exposure to cold.
• Vulnerability of Displaced Population: Over 80% of buildings damaged or destroyed, leaving hundreds of thousands homeless.
• Aid Restrictions: Cumbersome bureaucratic and inspection procedures, along with specific restrictions on UNRWA, hindering aid delivery.
• Dual-Use Items: Israeli authorities classifying essential survival items as "dual-use," leading to their removal from aid convoys.
• Food Insecurity: Lack of essential nutrients and protein sources in markets, with commercial goods readily available but necessities scarce.

Worsening Weather Conditions and Flooding in Gaza

The transcript details the severe impact of worsening weather, specifically heavy rain and cold temperatures, on displaced Palestinians in Gaza. Hundreds of makeshift tents and shelters have been flooded, drenching essential belongings such as blankets, mattresses, and clothes. This exacerbates the already dire living conditions as winter sets in, leaving those with minimal protection exposed to harsh weather.

Personal Accounts of Hardship

One individual shared her distress, stating, "I've been crying since morning. Look at this view. How can I get rid of this water inside the tent? How can I deal with my problems? I'm young and I just need help. I'm a widow. I don't have a father, a brother, a sister, or anyone else. I don't have anyone to turn to. I'm a stranger here. There's no one to help me. We're exhausted from everything we've been going through during this war. Look, I don't have a mattress or a blanket. My children are young. They need winter clothes. I just want my message to reach the world. My body is exhausted from all this. I'm an orphan and my children are orphans, too." This quote highlights the profound personal suffering and isolation experienced by many.

On-the-Ground Reporting from Gaza City

Hani Mahmood, reporting from Gaza City, described the challenging conditions. He noted that the rain has been non-stop for two days, flooding displacement sites where families have been living for two years. This marks the third winter of similar tragedies. The floodwaters are submerging areas in Alawasi, central Gaza, and Gaza City. Residents reported sleeping on wet mattresses, with soaked blankets and drenched clothes. Footage emerged on social media showing young children wading through waist-deep water in their tents.

Mahmood further elaborated on the health risks, stating, "What's the really heartwrenching part now? It's the dirty water mixing with sewage is a creating environment for diseases that is spreading quickly at this time. And we know with the with this there is health risk involved with the uh with respiratory uh problems and and the spread of diseases are already causing emergency at the at the hospital here in Ashifa hospital where cases documented of cold and respiratory problems already documented inside a shifa hospital." He also mentioned that shelters were not prepared for heavy rain or strong winds, leading some to seek refuge in bombed-out buildings that are themselves at risk of collapse due to cracks and leaks. He characterized the situation as "another layer of danger, another layer of struggle, another layer of evolving a tragedy."

Insufficient Aid and Blocked Materials

The transcript emphasizes that the amount of aid entering Gaza is insufficient to address the deepening humanitarian crisis, especially with the onset of winter.

Lack of Basic Necessities

Hani Mahmood highlighted that the aid is not enough to face the challenges created by both the on-the-ground conditions and the weather. Beyond food and water, there is a critical shortage of winter supplies, including winter clothing, blankets, and waterproof sheets. Markets are flooded with commercial items like Pepsi and Coca-Cola, but essential necessities like antibiotics or protein sources such as eggs are unavailable. Fresh meat is also blocked, with Israeli authorities deeming it outside humanitarian need.

UNRWA's Perspective on Aid Restrictions

Tamara Alri, Director of UNRWA Communications and External Relations, joined the discussion from Amman. She confirmed that the recent rains have added to the vulnerability of Gazans, with over 13,000 households affected by flooding. She reiterated that over 80% of buildings and housing units in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed, leaving over 280,000 homes homeless.

Alri stated that UNRWA has enough supplies to fill 6,000 trucks from its warehouses in Egypt and Jordan, but these are being held back by restrictions. These restrictions apply to all aid, despite the ceasefire. Specifically, UNRWA faces "double the amount of scrutiny and restrictions than other agencies" from the Israeli government. Bureaucratic and inspection procedures at the limited crossings into Gaza are cumbersome, leading to long queues of waiting trucks.

Restrictions on Specific Items

Alri further explained that many items are restricted because Israeli authorities classify them as "dual-use," while aid organizations consider them essential for basic survival. This includes items crucial for the winter situation, such as tents. These items are removed from convoys during inspection. Therefore, not only is the number of trucks limited, but the types of items allowed in are also restricted.

Risks for Families in Gaza

The combined factors of conflict, displacement, and harsh weather present significant risks for families in Gaza.

Compounding Hazards

Tamara Alri outlined the biggest risks: food insecurity, cold, lack of shelter, winter clothing, and fuel for heating. The flooding exacerbates public health hazards. These issues, compounded by two years of war, have made the population extremely vulnerable. Malnutrition was already a concern, and the flooding adds another layer of danger amidst destruction, debris, and unexploded ordinances. Every aspect of daily life in Gaza is described as a hazard.