Gaza Strip Devastated by War and Nature's Fury
As if the hardships of war were not enough, over 1.5 million Palestinians - already living in dramatic and inhumane conditions in Gaza - have been facing the wrath of nature and the relentless storm Byron since Wednesday evening. The storm has affected approximately 850,000 people currently taking shelter in 761 displacement sites, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), resulting in the death of a newborn baby.
A Newborn's Tragic Death
A nine-month-old baby girl, Rahaf Abou Jazar, died in her mother's arms in a tent in Khan Younès, southern Gaza Strip. The baby's mother explained to local Al-Jazeera correspondents that she had done her best to protect her child. "I panicked all night as the cold intensified. Suddenly, I found my baby motionless, dead," she said. "It was raining, very cold, and I didn't have much to keep her warm. I fed her, put her to bed, and wrapped her up as best I could, but it wasn't enough."
Thousands of Palestinians Trapped in Flooded Tents
Tens of thousands of Palestinians, over 90% of the Gaza population, have been forcibly displaced due to two years of conflict. They are now trapped in flooded and unsanitary tents, according to the Palestinian Civil Defense. The Palestinian rescue teams have evacuated 14 flooded tents in different neighborhoods of Khan Younès, relocating families to safer areas. The organization has also cleared vehicles stuck in the mud on sandy roads.
Widespread Destruction and Urgent Need for Aid
According to Ismaïl el-Thawabta, director of the Gaza government's media office, the heavy rainfall has flooded "tens of thousands of tents" across the besieged territory, leaving areas submerged in mud and water. "Over 22,000 tents have been completely destroyed, including tarps, insulation materials, and blankets. Emergency shelters have collapsed, and temporary water supply networks have broken and mixed with rainwater," he added. The local authorities emphasize the urgent need for 300,000 new tents adapted to harsh weather conditions, but only 20,000 tents have been delivered so far.
Israeli Blockade Exacerbates Humanitarian Crisis
The Israeli entity continues to block the entry of essential humanitarian aid, exacerbating the crisis. "Displaced people have lost the minimum necessary for their survival and live without protection from the cold, wind, and rain," el-Thawabta said. The United Nations Special Rapporteur, Francesca Albanese, lamented that "the nightmare continues" in the devastated territory, where Palestinians are left to suffer from hunger and harsh weather conditions.
Ongoing Israeli Aggression
Meanwhile, the Israeli occupation army continues its genocidal war, disregarding the ceasefire in Gaza and killing more Palestinian militants and civilians. The situation is expected to worsen as the storm continues to ravage Gaza, according to weather forecasts.
