Torrential rain hit the Gaza Strip on Thursday, causing significant flooding in several displacement camps and tragically leading to the death of an infant. Local health officials reported that eight-month-old Rahaf Abu Jazar succumbed to exposure after heavy rains flooded her family’s tent in Khan Younis, located in the southern part of the enclave.
Her mother, Hejar Abu Jazar, expressed her heartbreak while cradling her daughter’s lifeless body, stating, “There was nothing wrong with her… the girl died of cold suddenly.” This heartbreaking loss highlights the dire conditions faced by families living in makeshift shelters after two years of conflict.
As floodwaters inundated the encampments, residents took immediate actions to mitigate the damage. Men worked tirelessly with shovels to clear water and mud while others prepared sandbags in an attempt to fortify their tents against the onslaught of rain and wind. Umm Mohammed Abd Elaal, a mother of several children, lamented, “Look at this. How am I supposed to let the children sleep?” The harsh weather has exacerbated an already critical situation where many displaced individuals are struggling for basic shelter.
Municipal officials reported that they were overwhelmed by the storm’s effects due to fuel shortages and damaged equipment—a direct consequence of the ongoing conflict that has devastated infrastructure in the region. Thousands of calls for assistance flooded the civil defense service, but many encampments were still without sufficient help. The U.N. has warned that 761 displacement sites housing around 850,000 people are at high risk of flooding, with urgent calls made for at least 300,000 new tents to accommodate the needs of approximately 1.5 million people still displaced.
As this humanitarian crisis unfolds, the plight of those in Gaza serves as a stark reminder of the continuing challenges faced by displaced populations in conflict zones. The conditions are desperate, but international aid organizations and local efforts are increasingly important in addressing these urgent needs and providing support to those affected.