Gaza Strip: Displaced Palestinians across the Gaza Strip spent a harsh rainy and windy night following the deep low pressure system that has affected the enclave for two days.
According to Qatar News Agency, Palestine has been affected since last Wednesday evening by a severe winter low pressure system, with wind speeds having reached 80 kilometers per hour. This weather event has posed significant challenges for residents of the Strip, particularly those living in displacement tents or returning to homes that are completely destroyed or unsuitable for habitation in the northern part of the Strip.
Hundreds of thousands of citizens whose homes were destroyed are residing in makeshift tents on the streets, as well as in public spaces, schools, and playgrounds that lack essential services. Amidst the harsh weather conditions, including strong winds, rain, and severe cold, thousands of displaced individuals struggled to secure their tents against being blown away or damaged by the storm. Many were unsuccessful, resulting in hundreds of tents being destroyed and leaving their occupants exposed to the elements without any shelter.
A displaced citizen from Rafah described the previous night as one of the most challenging winter nights, with strong winds and heavy rain. The tent he was staying in, located in the Al-Mawasi area west of Rafah, was blown away by the storm.
Another resident recounted the life-threatening danger posed by flying debris, including wooden planks and metal sheets, which tore through their tent and destroyed their belongings. He explained that his family had to flee their tent during the rain, spending the night in the street without shelter.
Mohammed Al Maidana, Director of Public Relations and Media at the Civil Defense Authority in Gaza, stated that the ongoing low pressure system has exacerbated the suffering of citizens and displaced persons in Gaza. He highlighted that conditions have worsened with the return of thousands to their destroyed homes in the northern Gaza Strip, where basic housing and shelter requirements are lacking.
Al Maidana noted that the Civil Defense teams are struggling to respond to distress calls from displaced individuals due to a significant reduction in their operational capabilities, having lost 80% of their resources as a result of Israeli aggression.
In a previous interview with Qatar News Agency, Salama Maarouf, head of the government media office, accused the Israeli occupation of obstructing the entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, violating the provisions of the humanitarian protocol within the ceasefire agreement. He pointed out that the failure to allow the entry of temporary tents, sufficient trucks, and necessary fuel supplies has hindered efforts to accommodate displaced families. According to the humanitarian protocol, 200,000 temporary tents were supposed to be brought in to house those affected by the conflict until reconstruction could begin.