SAFA — Gaza's Civil Defense has urged residents to take immediate safety precautions ahead of an approaching storm, warning that heavy rainfall and strong winds could endanger displaced Palestinians sheltering in tents and war-damaged buildings across the Gaza Strip.

The warning comes amid a deepening humanitarian crisis caused by Israel's military offensive and ongoing restrictions on humanitarian supplies, which have left hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians without adequate shelter or protection from severe weather.

In a statement issued Thursday, the Civil Defense called on residents across Gaza to take necessary preventive and safety measures ahead of the approaching low-pressure weather system.

The agency expressed particular concern for displaced families living in tents and makeshift shelters, as well as those remaining in buildings damaged by Israeli bombardment and at risk of collapse.

It warned that heavy rainfall and strong winds could uproot tents, damage temporary shelters, and cause the partial or complete collapse of structurally unstable buildings.

Civil Defense Issues Urgent Safety Instructions

The Civil Defense advised displaced families to secure tarps and plastic sheeting, reinforce tent stakes, and build small earthen barriers around their shelters to help prevent flooding.

Residents were also urged to dig drainage channels where safe and practical, secure loose metal roofing, and raise mattresses, bedding, and other essential belongings above ground level to protect them from rainwater.

The agency warned residents against remaining inside severely damaged or structurally compromised buildings, stressing that such structures could collapse during strong winds or heavy rainfall.

It also advised families not to pitch tents near damaged buildings or cracked walls and urged them to seek safer locations wherever possible.

Humanitarian Organizations Urged to Provide Safer Shelter

Gaza's Civil Defense appealed to humanitarian organizations, local institutions, and community groups to intervene urgently to provide safer shelter for displaced families and strengthen protective measures ahead of the storm.

The agency warned that many displaced Palestinians are living in conditions that fail to meet even minimum safety standards, leaving them particularly vulnerable to flooding, strong winds, and collapsing structures.

It emphasized the importance of monitoring weather alerts and following safety instructions, warning residents not to underestimate the dangers posed by the approaching storm.

The Civil Defense also stressed that protecting lives requires collective cooperation and preventive action before severe weather arrives.

Heavy Rain and Falling Temperatures Expected Across Gaza

Displaced Palestinians in Gaza face heightened risks during winter because of widespread destruction of residential buildings, inadequate drainage infrastructure, and the growing number of families living in tents and temporary shelters.

Heavy rainfall can quickly flood displacement camps, turning the ground into mud and exposing families to cold, damp conditions without adequate heating or protection.

On Wednesday, the Jerusalem Weather Center forecast rainy and stormy conditions across Palestine beginning Friday, accompanied by a sharp drop in temperatures, strong winds, and the possibility of heavy downpours.

The center warned that coastal areas, particularly the Gaza Strip, could experience significant rainfall and gusty winds.

The approaching storm has renewed concerns over the safety of displaced families who remain without adequate shelter as winter approaches.