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Floods and Sewage Batter Gaza’s Tent Cities, Exposing a Winter Shelter Shortfall

Aid groups report critical supplies stuck outside the Strip.

Overview

  • Heavy rain and storm surges in recent days flooded displacement camps across Gaza, destroying shelters and soaking belongings in areas such as al‑Mawasi and Deir al‑Balah.
  • The Hamas-run Gaza government estimates about $4.5 million in storm losses, including more than 22,000 tents destroyed and damage to basic infrastructure.
  • UN officials say conditions sharply deteriorated after the flooding as teams distribute limited tents and tarpaulins, with fewer than 60,000 tents and just over 300,000 tarpaulins and bedding items entering since early September.
  • Hospitals report rising gastric illness and skin diseases as cesspits overflow and wastewater systems fail, with the Sheikh Radwan ponds again at risk of spilling sewage into the environment.
  • Aid agencies cite item restrictions and slow approvals for shelter materials, a claim Israel’s COGAT disputes while pointing to tarpaulin distributions it says it facilitated.