The humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, worsened by heavy winter rains, has become dire for the estimated 2.4 million residents. Following the devastating conflict between Israel and Hamas, which erupted on October 7, 2023, the majority of the population has been displaced multiple times. Families like Ayman Siam's—who have sought refuge at the Yarmuk sports stadium—are struggling to protect their makeshift homes from relentless rain, which has turned areas meant for sheltering the vulnerable population increasingly inhospitable.
"I'm trying to protect my tent from the rainwater because we are expecting heavy rain. Three days ago when it rained, we were drenched," Siam lamented, struggling against the elements to keep his children and grandchildren dry. At the stadium, the formerly manicured pitch has transformed horrifyingly; it is now littered with muddy puddles and destroyed belongings, as residents dig trenches and cover their tents with plastic sheets in desperate attempts to fend off the flooding.
With significant rainfall reported across the region, Mahmoud Bassal, spokesman for Gaza's civil defense agency, expressed deep concerns for the tens of thousands suffering from flooded accommodations. "Tens of thousands of displaced people, especially in central and southern Gaza, are suffering from flooded tents due to the rains," he stated, urging the international community to provide immediate aid as winter looms.
The situation has become increasingly catastrophic, as highlighted by Louise Wateridge, from the UN agency for Palestinian refugees. Speaking from Gaza City, she outlined the devastating lack of basic necessities such as food, water, and shelter among the displaced: "It's going to be catastrophic. People don't have anything. They haven't had basic things for 13 months—it's going to be miserable, it's going to be very desperate."
Winter conditions are notoriously harsh, with nighttime temperatures plummeting to as low as six degrees Celsius (around 42 degrees Fahrenheit). Rainfall is especially heavy between late October and April, with January typically being the month with the highest precipitation at 30 to 40 millimeters on average. The humanitarian needs are pressing, and with winter approaching, international aid organizations have sounded the alarm bells over the deteriorative conditions.
While Ayman and others struggle to maintain their shelter against the elements, hundreds of tents near the coast have already been reported flooded, particularly around areas like Deir al-Balah and Khan Yunis. These conditions exacerbate the already precarious living situation for those displaced by the year-long conflict.
Another resident, Auni al-Sabea, shares his experience of enduring the recent floods, stating, "It's hard to describe the fear and hopelessness. This place was supposed to be our refuge, but every rain brings us closer to ruin. We have nothing left."
The conditions, already dire, culminate at this sensitive time for the region as displaced persons now face the dual challenge of severe weather and inadequate shelter. The international response remains slow, as the urgency to address the humanitarian needs stands stark against the backdrop of continuing political unrest.
Only time will tell how the world will respond to the rapid escalation of needs within the Gaza Strip. For residents like Ayman, the winter isn’t just another season; it's a looming threat filled with uncertainty and despair as they seek sanctuary from both the elements and their war-torn circumstances.
