The Civil Defense received hundreds of distress calls overnight into Tuesday morning from displaced Palestinians whose tents and shelters were flooded with rainwater. The conditions have reached catastrophic levels, with many families suffering in extreme cold and wet conditions.

The Civil Defense stated that its teams can only evacuate people to makeshift shelters that are also unfit for habitation, leaving families exposed to the elements. They called on all those able to act to urgently intervene, particularly in the camps in central Gaza City, Al-Mawasi, Khan Younis, Rafah, and western Deir al-Balah, to protect these vulnerable individuals from the cold and flooding.

Dozens of tents in the Gaza Strip were flooded on Monday night following a heavy thunderstorm, worsening the dire situation for families already living in tragic conditions amid ongoing Israeli shelling. The displaced population, many of whom are residing in tents made of fabric and nylon, face a severe lack of basic necessities, including clothing, mattresses, and blankets. Government reports estimate that 81% of these tents have deteriorated beyond use due to the combined effects of time and the harsh weather.

The cold has left hundreds of thousands suffering, with many reporting severe discomfort, including bone pain and nosebleeds. Philippe Lazzarini, the Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), expressed grave concern, stating that “the children of Gaza are frozen to death due to the cold and lack of shelter, while winter supplies, including blankets and mattresses, remain stuck for months, awaiting Israeli approval to enter the Strip.”