Floods in Gaza damage tens of thousands of shelters
Heavy rain and flooding over the weekend have damaged roughly 40,000 family shelters in Gaza, according to UNRWA, and about 200,000 people are affected. A sand embankment collapsed onto tents, killing a woman and three children, local health authorities and RTÉ News report. The UN says some 150,000 tents remain outside Gaza and has urged Israel to let them in; Israel maintains that Hamas has been diverting aid. UN agencies warn of further flooding and contaminated water in coming weeks.
Key facts
- UNICEF estimates about 950,000 displaced Palestinians live in flood-exposed areas, 400,000 in extremely high-risk locations.
- Local authorities say at least 70,000 tents were flooded, according to DW reporting.
- The IDF says more than 93,000 tents have entered Gaza since winter began.
- UNRWA says Israeli restrictions on machinery have left drainage systems blocked.
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Why it matters
Around 1.7 million displaced people remain in tents or damaged buildings exposed to flooding and cold, the UN says.
What changed
First published from RTÉ News, Anadolu Agency, ABC News (Australia), Middle East Eye and DW