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Storm Byron Floods Gaza Tents, Straining Scarce Shelter Supplies

Aid agencies blame Israeli restrictions for severe shelter shortages that heighten disease risk from contaminated floodwater.

Overview

  • Heavy rain, strong winds and hail from Storm Byron are lashing Gaza through Friday, with meteorologists warning of flash floods.
  • Rescue teams reported distress calls from displacement camps in Rafah as families found their tents inundated and some people trapped.
  • The UN says nearly 850,000 people in 761 displacement sites face the highest flood risk this week, with previous storms having already damaged hundreds of sites.
  • Aid groups report that only about 40,000 tents have entered Gaza out of roughly 300,000 needed, and say tools to repair water and sewage systems remain restricted.
  • UN officials noted families are relocating within the Strip, including about 200 expected to move to a new site in eastern Khan Younis to escape rising flood risk.