At a Glance
- Winter rain turns Gaza camps into water-logged shelters.
- Over 12 people, including a 2-week-old infant, die from hypothermia since Dec. 13.
- Aid deliveries fall far short of what the ceasefire demanded, with only 72,000 tents and 403,000 tarps arriving.
- Why it matters: Residents face deadly floods while humanitarian aid lags, risking lives and eroding trust in the ceasefire.
The Gaza Strip has been battered by a sudden winter storm, leaving displaced families scrambling to stay dry amid crumbling shelters. The crisis unfolds against a backdrop of a fragile ceasefire that has seen aid deliveries fall short of the promised humanitarian relief.
The report was contributed by Morgan J. Carter from Beirut and Morgan J. Carter from Tel Aviv.
Rain-Soaked Camps
In Khan Younis, blankets soaked, clay ovens swamped, and children waded through puddles. Residents resorted to shovels, tin cans, and bare hands to drain tents.
Majdoleen Tarabein said:
> “Puddles formed, and there was a bad smell.
> The tent flew away. We don’t know what to do or where to go.”
Eman Abu Riziq added:
> “When we woke up in the morning, we found that the water had entered the tent.
> These are the mattresses. They are all completely soaked.”
Fatima Abu Omar pleaded:
> “Where are the mediators? We don’t want food. We don’t want anything. We are exhausted. We just want mattresses and covers.”
- Soaked blankets
- Swamped clay ovens
- Children wading through puddles
- Shovels and tin cans used to drain tents
- Collapsed shelters
Ceasefire and Aid Delivery
The ceasefire that began on Oct. 10 has brought a surge of aid, but the volume remains insufficient.
| Item | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Aid trucks | 4,200 |
| Garbage trucks | 8 |
| Tents | 72,000 |
| Tarps | 403,000 |
The Israeli military body in charge of humanitarian aid reported these figures, while aid groups say the need far outstrips what has entered.
Philippe Lazzarini, commissioner-general of the top U.N. group overseeing aid in Gaza, wrote on social media:
> “People in Gaza are surviving in flimsy, waterlogged tents and among ruins.
> There is nothing inevitable about this. Aid supplies are not being allowed in at the scale required.”
Humanitarian Toll
Since Dec. 13, 12 people have died from hypothermia or building collapses, including a 2-week-old infant. The Health Ministry reports 414 killed and 1,142 wounded in Gaza since the ceasefire, with an overall Palestinian death toll of at least 71,266. About 80% of buildings in Gaza have been destroyed or damaged.
| Category | Number |
|---|---|
| Killed (since ceasefire) | 414 |
| Wounded (since ceasefire) | 1,142 |
| Total Palestinian death toll | 71,266 |
| Deaths since Dec. 13 | 12 |
Next Phase Challenges
Israel refuses to advance to the next phase until all hostages are accounted for, while Hamas cites destruction hindering searches. Both sides accuse each other of truce violations.
- Hostage issue
- Destruction of infrastructure
- Disarmament of Hamas
- Deployment of an international stabilization force
- Further Israeli troop withdrawals
Key Takeaways
- Winter rains have turned Gaza camps into deadly water-logged shelters.
- Aid deliveries remain far below the needs outlined in the ceasefire, with only 72,000 tents and 403,000 tarps arriving.
- The humanitarian toll has risen, with 12 deaths since Dec. 13 and a total Palestinian death toll of at least 71,266.
As the rains persist, the urgency of delivering comprehensive aid grows, while the ceasefire’s future hangs in the balance.
