By Micah Jonah, February 24, 2026
Palestinians across Gaza are facing worsening humanitarian conditions as heavy winter rains flooded makeshift tents, leaving thousands exposed to the elements with minimal protection.
The winter storm, which struck late Monday into Tuesday, caused widespread flooding in the al-Mawasi camp west of Khan Younis, as well as areas west of Gaza City, including the Remal neighborhood and the port area. Civil defence units in Gaza reported multiple emergency calls overnight, and rescue teams rushed to assist affected families.
Videos shared on social media showed residents struggling to prevent further damage to their tents, many of which have been repeatedly destroyed by storms or previous Israeli attacks.
Amid the floods, Israeli forces reportedly killed two Palestinians, including a boy, in northern Gaza’s Beit Lahiya area. This comes despite a United States-brokered ceasefire with Hamas in October 2025, which has already seen more than 600 Palestinians killed in violations according to Gaza’s Ministry of Health.
Tens of thousands of Palestinian families continue to live in makeshift shelters that cannot withstand heavy rain, leaving them at risk of hypothermia and waterborne diseases. United Nations rights chief Volker Turk described the humanitarian situation as “catastrophic.”
Since December, a series of winter storms have destroyed tents, damaged already weakened buildings, causing deaths and injuries. Aid shipments, including tents and mobile homes, remain largely blocked by Israeli restrictions, worsening the plight of those displaced.
Al Jazeera correspondent, Hind Khoudary reported from Gaza City that thousands of Palestinians denied permission to travel abroad for medical treatment remain effectively homeless, with many of their homes destroyed in ongoing Israeli military operations.
The combination of extreme weather, inadequate shelter, and continued violence underscores the severe challenges facing Gaza’s population during the holy month of Ramadan.
