SAFA — Hundreds of displaced Palestinian families in Gaza City are sounding the alarm ahead of winter, warning that heavy rainfall, powerful winds, and destroyed sewage networks could flood their makeshift shelters and endanger lives already devastated by Israel's genocidal war on Gaza.

On Monday, residents of the Al-Manara displacement camps, east of Gaza City, staged a protest under the slogan "Before the Place Drowns, Save the People," demanding urgent international intervention to prevent another humanitarian disaster.

Around 900 displaced families are sheltering in the area after Israeli attacks destroyed their homes, leaving them with little protection against the approaching winter.

With fragile tents, devastated infrastructure, and severely limited emergency resources, residents fear that the first major storms could turn their displacement camps into flooded, uninhabitable areas.

900 Displaced Families Face the Threat of Flooding

Families living in Al-Manara say they have nowhere safe to go if winter storms strike.

Their tents, many of them worn out after prolonged exposure to harsh conditions, provide little protection against heavy rain, cold winds, or rising floodwater.

The destruction of sewage and drainage networks has made the situation even more dangerous, increasing the risk of wastewater flooding the camps.

During Monday's protest, displaced Palestinians carried signs demanding safe shelters, emergency supplies, and urgent repairs to damaged infrastructure.

"Al-Manara camps are not outside the suffering, but they are outside the circle of attention," one protest sign read.

Residents stressed that they were not demanding luxuries, but the basic necessities required to protect their families and live with dignity.

For those who have already lost their homes, belongings, and livelihoods, another winter spent in leaking tents threatens to deepen their suffering.

Gaza Municipality Warns of Devastated Infrastructure

Abu Rushdi Qaza'at, an official with Gaza Municipality, said the Al-Manara neighborhood had been completely destroyed during Israel's war on Gaza.

He warned that the extensive damage had left municipal teams struggling to respond to emergencies and protect displaced residents.

Qaza'at called on international organizations to urgently provide the equipment, machinery, and resources needed to repair essential infrastructure and prepare for winter storms.

Without immediate support, he warned, municipal crews would face serious difficulties addressing flooding and other emergencies.

The destruction of roads, sewage networks, and public facilities has severely weakened Gaza's ability to withstand seasonal rainfall, leaving displaced communities particularly vulnerable.

Civil Defense Warns Rescue Teams May Be Unable to Respond

Mahmoud Bassal, spokesperson for Gaza's Civil Defense, warned that Al-Manara had experienced flooding even before Israel's devastating military campaign.

He said the destruction of sewage networks and the shortage of emergency vehicles and rescue equipment have made the danger considerably greater.

With winter approaching, Civil Defense teams fear they may be unable to reach or evacuate families if heavy rainfall overwhelms the damaged drainage system.

The lack of functioning equipment and emergency resources could leave hundreds of families trapped in flooded shelters, particularly children, older people, and those with disabilities or medical conditions.

Bassal's warning underscores the urgent need to restore essential services before severe weather arrives.

Families Demand Tents, Tarpaulins and Emergency Supplies

Hassan Marouf, director of the Al-Manara displacement camps, appealed to international humanitarian organizations to provide tents, waterproof tarpaulins, and other essential supplies.

He said the devastated neighborhood had received insufficient attention despite the growing risks facing its displaced residents.

Families urgently need weatherproof shelter materials, blankets, mattresses, and supplies to protect their belongings from rainwater.

Without these necessities, even a single severe storm could destroy what little remains of their temporary living spaces.

Marouf warned that delaying assistance until flooding begins would leave families exposed to preventable suffering.

Displaced Father Fears Losing Everything Again

For Fahd Al-Arouri, a displaced Palestinian father living in a worn-out tent with his family of six, the approaching winter brings renewed anxiety.

After losing their home during Israel's war, the family now faces the possibility of losing its temporary shelter and remaining possessions to heavy rain.

Their tent offers little protection against strong winds and flooding, leaving them fearful of what will happen when winter storms arrive.

For families like Al-Arouri's, the threat is not simply discomfort from cold weather. It is the possibility of spending freezing nights in soaked bedding, struggling to keep children warm, and searching for another place to shelter after already enduring repeated displacement.

More Than 1.5 Million Displaced Palestinians Face Harsh Conditions

The crisis in Al-Manara reflects the wider suffering of displaced Palestinians across Gaza.

More than 1.5 million displaced people are facing harsh living conditions, shortages of essential supplies, and rising prices, according to figures cited in the report.

Many families continue to live in overcrowded tents and makeshift shelters after Israeli attacks destroyed their homes and neighborhoods.

With much of Gaza's infrastructure damaged, the arrival of winter threatens to compound existing shortages of clean water, sanitation, food, medicine, and adequate shelter.

Flooding could also worsen hygiene conditions and increase health risks in displacement camps already struggling with inadequate drainage and waste management.

An Urgent Appeal Before Disaster Strikes

Displaced families in Al-Manara are calling for immediate action to provide safe shelters, repair sewage networks, and equip municipal and rescue teams before winter storms arrive.

Their appeal is a warning that waiting until tents are flooded and families are forced into the cold could come at a devastating human cost.

After surviving bombardment, displacement, and the destruction of their homes, Palestinians in Gaza are now confronting another threat to their safety.

For the 900 families sheltering in Al-Manara, the demand is simple and urgent: protect their lives before the rain begins.

Source : Safa News