SAFA — Gaza's Civil Defense warned Monday that most of its emergency vehicles in Gaza City and the central governorate are out of service due to severe shortages of spare parts and fuel, crippling rescue operations as winter storms threaten displaced families with flooding, collapsing structures, and other life-threatening emergencies.

The Civil Defense Directorate said the breakdown of essential rescue and firefighting vehicles has severely reduced its ability to respond to emergency calls, leaving thousands of Palestinians increasingly vulnerable as heavy rainfall continues to batter the Gaza Strip.

Only One Rescue Vehicle Operational in Central Gaza

According to the directorate, just one rescue vehicle remains operational in Gaza's central governorate.

Two firefighting vehicles stationed in Al-Bureij and Nuseirat, along with an ambulance in Deir al-Balah, have stopped working.

In Gaza City, two firefighting and rescue vehicles in Al-Tuffah and another rescue vehicle in Al-Rimal are also out of service.

The widespread breakdowns have left emergency teams struggling to reach people trapped beneath collapsed structures, respond to fires, and assist families affected by flooding.

Civil Defense officials attributed the crisis to a severe shortage of spare parts, soaring prices for the limited supplies available in local markets, and a lack of fuel.

With only one operational rescue vehicle in the central governorate, emergency crews face serious difficulties responding to multiple incidents occurring simultaneously.

Deadly Tent Collapse Exposes Growing Rescue Crisis

The warning follows a deadly incident in Deir al-Balah, where a rain-soaked sand embankment collapsed onto displacement tents in the Ard al-Ribat camp, killing five Palestinians, including three children, and injuring others.

The tragedy highlighted the dangers facing displaced families sheltering near unstable sand embankments and slopes during heavy rainfall.

Following the incident, Civil Defense urged residents to avoid setting up tents near elevated soil formations, sand embankments, and other areas vulnerable to collapse.

It also called for safer shelter locations and the urgent entry of rescue equipment, fuel, and spare parts to restore emergency response capabilities.

Gaza Needs 270,000 Tents as Shelter Crisis Deepens

The breakdown of rescue vehicles comes as heavy rainfall and strong winds continue to damage displacement tents across Gaza, soaking bedding, clothing, and essential belongings.

Thousands of families remain exposed to cold, flooding, and dangerous living conditions in makeshift shelters that offer little protection from severe weather.

On Sunday, Gaza's Ministry of Public Works and Housing said the territory urgently needs approximately 270,000 tents to address the growing shelter crisis.

The ministry warned that the quantities of shelter supplies permitted to enter Gaza under Israeli restrictions remain far below the population's needs and are insufficient to replace damaged and deteriorating tents.

With rescue vehicles increasingly unavailable and displacement camps vulnerable to further storms, Civil Defense faces mounting challenges in protecting civilians and responding to emergencies.

The directorate's warning underscores the urgent need for fuel, spare parts, rescue equipment, and adequate shelter supplies before further weather-related disasters overwhelm Gaza's already strained emergency services.